Which of the following lines is an example of a metaphor in English?

Introduction / Context:
This question checks your ability to recognise metaphors in everyday English sentences. A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes one thing in terms of another in order to create a vivid image or emotional effect. The options include three well known idiomatic expressions, and you are asked to decide which lines are metaphors. Understanding how each sentence uses figurative language is key.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Option A You light up my life describes the effect of a person on the speaker.
• Option B She was fishing for compliments describes someone trying to obtain praise.
• Option C He broke my heart describes emotional pain after a hurtful action.
• Option D All of the above would be correct only if each individual line involves metaphorical language.

Concept / Approach:
A metaphor states that one thing is another or uses a concrete action to represent an abstract idea. It is not meant to be taken literally. In You light up my life, the listener is not a physical light bulb, but the sentence treats their presence as if it brings light and joy, which is metaphorical. In She was fishing for compliments, she is not literally using a fishing rod; instead, the verb fishing is used metaphorically to show that she is trying repeatedly to catch praise. In He broke my heart, no actual heart is broken into pieces; the breaking image represents deep emotional pain. Because all three lines rely on figurative images rather than literal description, each can be considered a metaphorical expression.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Examine option A You light up my life. Ask whether the person is literally a light source or whether light is a symbol for happiness.Step 2: Recognise that lighting up life means making someone feel joyful and hopeful, which is a metaphorical comparison.Step 3: Examine option B She was fishing for compliments. There is no lake or physical fish; the idea of fishing is borrowed to suggest repeated attempts to catch compliments.Step 4: Examine option C He broke my heart. A human heart is not physically broken in pieces in this context; the phrase uses breaking as an image for emotional hurt.Step 5: Since all three rely on figurative comparisons rather than literal descriptions, option D All of the above correctly identifies that each line contains a metaphorical idea.

Verification / Alternative check:
If we rephrase each sentence in plain literal language, we lose the metaphor. For example, You make me very happy replaces You light up my life. She tried to get people to praise her replaces She was fishing for compliments. He hurt me deeply with his actions replaces He broke my heart. These literal versions show the real meaning behind the metaphorical images in the original lines. This confirms that all three examples qualify as metaphorical expressions or at least strongly figurative language based on metaphor.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
If we chose only one of the lines as a metaphor, we would ignore the clear figurative character of the others. None of the three sentences is meant to be taken physically or literally. Since each uses an image drawn from a different domain to describe feelings or intentions, all show metaphorical usage. Therefore, options A, B, and C individually are incomplete choices, and the correct combined choice is option D All of the above.

Common Pitfalls:
Learners sometimes confuse metaphor with idiom or think that only sentences with the word like or as are figures of speech. Those are usually similes. Metaphors can appear inside idiomatic expressions such as fishing for compliments or broken heart. The key test is whether the sentence describes one thing using imagery that normally belongs to something else. Whenever this happens without like or as, you are likely dealing with a metaphor.

Final Answer:
All three lines are metaphorical, so the correct answer is All of the above.