45+ Taken vs Taking Similes

Similes are one of the most vivid tools in figurative language, helping readers see ideas instead of just understanding them. By comparing one thing to another using like or as, similes turn abstract thoughts into clear, emotional images.

They are especially powerful when exploring contrasts—such as taken vs taking—because they highlight movement, intention, and consequence. In life and in language, taken often suggests something received, claimed, or lost, while taking implies action, effort, or decision.

These ideas naturally connect with themes of strength, growth, resilience, wisdom, and deep human emotion. Through similes inspired by nature, literature, and everyday experience, writers can show the difference between passive states and active choices.

This article explores how taken vs taking similes enrich writing, sharpen comparisons, and bring meaning to both creative and academic work.

Table of Contents

What Is a Simile?

A simile is a figure of speech that compares two different things using like or as to create a vivid image or idea.

Example: Taking responsibility is like lifting a heavy stone—hard at first, but strengthening over time.

Taken Like a Leaf Caught in the Wind

Meaning: Something taken without control or choice.

Usage Insight: Best for moments of helplessness or sudden change.

He was taken like a leaf caught in the wind, swept into events beyond his control.
The opportunity vanished, taken like a leaf caught in the wind.
She felt her childhood taken like a leaf caught in the wind.
His calm was taken like a leaf caught in the wind during the crisis.
The town’s peace was taken like a leaf caught in the wind overnight.

Taking Like Roots Gripping the Earth

Meaning: Actively claiming stability or strength.

Usage Insight: Ideal for growth, resilience, and determination.

She was taking her place like roots gripping the earth.
He is taking control like roots gripping the earth beneath him.
The team kept taking ground like roots gripping the earth.
Confidence grew as she kept taking space like roots gripping the earth.
They are taking ownership like roots gripping the earth.

Taken Like a Candle Blown Out

Meaning: Something lost suddenly and completely.

Usage Insight: Effective for loss, silence, or endings.

His hope was taken like a candle blown out.
The joy was taken like a candle blown out by fear.
Her voice felt taken like a candle blown out.
Trust was taken like a candle blown out in the dark.
The moment was taken like a candle blown out too soon.

Taking Like a River Carving Stone

Meaning: Gaining power gradually through persistence.

Usage Insight: Perfect for long-term effort and patience.

She is taking her future like a river carving stone.
He kept taking progress like a river carving stone.
Change came by taking time like a river carving stone.
They are taking influence like a river carving stone.
Success arrived through taking effort like a river carving stone.

Taken Like Breath in Winter Air

Meaning: Removed quickly and unexpectedly.

Usage Insight: Works well for shock or surprise.

The news took his breath, taken like breath in winter air.
Her confidence was taken like breath in winter air.
The joy was taken like breath in winter air.
Calm was taken like breath in winter air.
His words were taken like breath in winter air.

Taking Like a Sunrise After Night

Meaning: Gaining hope or opportunity actively.

Usage Insight: Great for optimism and renewal.

She is taking chances like a sunrise after night.
He began taking courage like a sunrise after night.
They are taking hope like a sunrise after night.
Life felt brighter taking shape like a sunrise after night.
He kept taking steps forward like a sunrise after night.

Taken Like a Shell Left Empty

Meaning: Feeling hollow after loss.

Usage Insight: Strong for emotional emptiness.

He felt taken like a shell left empty.
Her smile seemed taken like a shell left empty.
The room felt taken like a shell left empty.
His laughter was taken like a shell left empty.
The victory felt taken like a shell left empty.

Taking Like Fire Catching Wood

Meaning: Rapid, energetic action.

Usage Insight: Ideal for momentum and passion.

She is taking initiative like fire catching wood.
His ideas kept taking shape like fire catching wood.
The movement began taking life like fire catching wood.
Confidence spread by taking hold like fire catching wood.
He was taking risks like fire catching wood.

Taken Like Time Slipping Through Fingers

Meaning: Lost despite effort.

Usage Insight: Best for regret or missed chances.

The years were taken like time slipping through fingers.
The chance was taken like time slipping through fingers.
Youth felt taken like time slipping through fingers.
The moment was taken like time slipping through fingers.
Her patience was taken like time slipping through fingers.

Taking Like a Bird Learning to Fly

Meaning: Gradual growth into independence.

Usage Insight: Works well for personal development.

She is taking responsibility like a bird learning to fly.
He kept taking confidence like a bird learning to fly.
The child is taking courage like a bird learning to fly.
They are taking freedom like a bird learning to fly.
She began taking risks like a bird learning to fly.

Taken Like Shadows at Dusk

Meaning: Slowly fading away.

Usage Insight: Effective for quiet loss.

His strength was taken like shadows at dusk.
The laughter was taken like shadows at dusk.
Hope felt taken like shadows at dusk.
Her presence was taken like shadows at dusk.
The noise was taken like shadows at dusk.

Taking Like a Mountain Standing Firm

Meaning: Claiming strength with resolve.

Usage Insight: Best for leadership and stability.

She is taking her stand like a mountain standing firm.
He kept taking pressure like a mountain standing firm.
They are taking responsibility like a mountain standing firm.
She was taking criticism like a mountain standing firm.
He is taking challenges like a mountain standing firm.

Taken Like Rain Washed Away

Meaning: Completely removed.

Usage Insight: Good for cleansing or loss.

His worries were taken like rain washed away.
The marks were taken like rain washed away.
Fear was taken like rain washed away.
The pain felt taken like rain washed away.
The past was taken like rain washed away.

Taking Like Hands Reaching Forward

Meaning: Actively pursuing opportunity.

Usage Insight: Ideal for ambition.

She is taking chances like hands reaching forward.
He kept taking initiative like hands reaching forward.
They are taking control like hands reaching forward.
Dreams grew by taking effort like hands reaching forward.
She was taking her future like hands reaching forward.

Taken Like Silence After Thunder

Meaning: Sudden calm after intensity.

Usage Insight: Works for aftermath scenes.

The noise was taken like silence after thunder.
His anger was taken like silence after thunder.
The crowd was taken like silence after thunder.
Fear felt taken like silence after thunder.
The fight ended, taken like silence after thunder.

Taking Like a Seed Breaking Soil

Meaning: Beginning through effort.

Usage Insight: Great for new starts.

She is taking life seriously like a seed breaking soil.
He kept taking growth like a seed breaking soil.
Change began taking form like a seed breaking soil.
They are taking chances like a seed breaking soil.
Hope grew by taking root like a seed breaking soil.

Taken Like Light at Sunset

Meaning: Slowly disappearing beauty.

Usage Insight: Ideal for poetic reflection.

The day was taken like light at sunset.
Her smile felt taken like light at sunset.
Youth was taken like light at sunset.
Energy faded, taken like light at sunset.
The joy was taken like light at sunset.

Taking Like Waves Shaping Shore

Meaning: Steady influence over time.

Usage Insight: Best for long-term impact.

He is taking influence like waves shaping shore.
She kept taking space like waves shaping shore.
They are taking change like waves shaping shore.
Growth came by taking effort like waves shaping shore.
The habit formed by taking time like waves shaping shore.

Taken Like a Door Slammed Shut

Meaning: Abrupt denial or end.

Usage Insight: Effective for rejection.

The chance was taken like a door slammed shut.
His hope felt taken like a door slammed shut.
The offer was taken like a door slammed shut.
Trust was taken like a door slammed shut.
Her voice was taken like a door slammed shut.

Taking Like a Climber Reaching the Peak

Meaning: Earning success through effort.

Usage Insight: Ideal for achievement.

She is taking success like a climber reaching the peak.
He kept taking steps like a climber reaching the peak.
They are taking goals like a climber reaching the peak.
Progress came by taking effort like a climber reaching the peak.
Dreams were taking shape like a climber reaching the peak.

Taken Like a Song Cut Short

Meaning: Interrupted joy or expression.

Usage Insight: Good for emotional moments.

His happiness was taken like a song cut short.
The laughter felt taken like a song cut short.
Her speech was taken like a song cut short.
The moment was taken like a song cut short.
Freedom felt taken like a song cut short.

Taking Like a Torch Passed On

Meaning: Accepting responsibility or legacy.

Usage Insight: Best for wisdom and duty.

She is taking leadership like a torch passed on.
He kept taking wisdom like a torch passed on.
They are taking tradition like a torch passed on.
The role came by taking trust like a torch passed on.
Purpose grew by taking legacy like a torch passed on.

Taken Like Frost on Morning Grass

Meaning: Quietly removed.

Usage Insight: Ideal for subtle change.

The warmth was taken like frost on morning grass.
Fear was taken like frost on morning grass.
Doubt faded, taken like frost on morning grass.
Pain felt taken like frost on morning grass.
Tension was taken like frost on morning grass.

Taking Like a Bridge Being Built

Meaning: Creating connection through effort.

Usage Insight: Works for relationships.

She is taking trust like a bridge being built.
He kept taking steps like a bridge being built.
They are taking understanding like a bridge being built.
Peace formed by taking time like a bridge being built.
Friendship grew by taking care like a bridge being built.

Taken Like Pages Torn Away

Meaning: Loss of history or memory.

Usage Insight: Strong for reflective writing.

His past was taken like pages torn away.
Memories felt taken like pages torn away.
The story was taken like pages torn away.
Truth was taken like pages torn away.
Identity felt taken like pages torn away.

Taking Like Wind Filling Sails

Meaning: Gaining momentum and direction.

Usage Insight: Ideal for progress.

She is taking momentum like wind filling sails.
He kept taking courage like wind filling sails.
They are taking direction like wind filling sails.
Growth came by taking chance like wind filling sails.
Dreams moved by taking hope like wind filling sails.

Taken Like Ash After Fire

Meaning: What remains after loss.

Usage Insight: Best for aftermath reflection.

His strength was taken like ash after fire.
The house stood taken like ash after fire.
Pride felt taken like ash after fire.
The town remained taken like ash after fire.
Silence followed, taken like ash after fire.

Taking Like a Path Chosen at Dawn

Meaning: Conscious decision toward the future.

Usage Insight: Perfect for turning points.

She is taking her future like a path chosen at dawn.
He kept taking direction like a path chosen at dawn.
They are taking purpose like a path chosen at dawn.
Change began by taking choice like a path chosen at dawn.
Life shifted by taking courage like a path chosen at dawn.

How to Use Similes Effectively in Writing

To use similes well, choose comparisons that match the emotion and purpose of your writing. In poems and songs, nature similes add beauty and rhythm. In stories, they reveal character and mood without long explanations.

In essays or academic writing, clear similes can simplify complex ideas and improve reader understanding.

Avoid overusing similes—one strong comparison is better than many weak ones. Always make sure your simile feels natural, relevant, and easy to visualize.

FAQs

1. What does “taken vs taking” mean in similes?

It highlights the contrast between passively losing or receiving something and actively choosing or claiming it.

2. How are similes different from metaphors?

Similes use like or as, while metaphors state the comparison directly.

3. Can similes be used in academic writing?

Yes, when used sparingly, similes can clarify complex concepts.

4. Are nature similes effective in modern writing?

Absolutely—nature similes are timeless and emotionally resonant.

5. How do similes improve creative writing?

They add imagery, emotion, and clarity, making writing more engaging.

Conclusion

Taken vs taking similes bring language to life by showing the difference between loss and choice, passivity and action. Through vivid comparisons drawn from nature and human experience, these similes add clarity, imagery, and emotional depth to writing.

Whether you are crafting a poem, story, essay, or song, thoughtful similes help readers feel the meaning—not just understand it.

By mastering these comparisons, you gain a powerful tool for expressing growth, resilience, wisdom, and the many turning points that shape human life.