Trees, plant and metaphors

1. Here are some metaphors based on parts of trees and plants
Seed(s) (hạt giống): is often used to talk about start of an idea or feeling:
_ the seeds of success, the seed of discontent, the seeds of revolution.

Root(s): is used suggest the origins of something. You can talk about going back to your roots, for example, meaning going back to the place where your family came from. You can also talk about the root of a problem or the roots of a tradition.

Putting down roots means settling down and making your home in one place:
_ After travelling the world for a couple of years, I was ready to go home and put down some roots.
_ When an idea becomes known or accepted, it can be said to take root.

Deeply and firmly collocate with rooted as in, for example;
_ Its origins are firmly/deeply rooted in the nineteeth century.
_ The grass roots of an organisation or society are the ordinary people in it, not the leaders.

Stem (n- thân cây) is used as a verb to signify (v- báo hiệu) that something originates in something else:
_ Her discontent stems from (v- xuất phát từ) a traumatic experience she had last year.

A branch is something that grows off or branches out from a main organisation. So we talk about branches of a shop or a business branching out into new directions.
_ We haven't a blue sweater in your size, but you could try our Oxford Street branch.

Bud (flower befor it opens) is used in the expression nipped in the bud (stopped before it develops into something).
_ He's showing signs of neglecting (v- sao lãng) his work - we'd better nip that in the bud.
The adjective budding can also mean showing promise of future development:
_ She's a budding young actress.

2. Here are some metaphors based on verbs connected with plant growth and gardening.
_ The new boss is planning to weed out (v- rẩy cỏ, nhổ cỏ dại) older or less experienced staff. (get rid of)
_ The government will probably have to prune (v- tỉa, xén) back its proposals. (cut/limit)
_ At last she is reaping (v- thu hoạch) the reward of all her years of study. (is getting results from)
_ The journalists have dug up some interesting facts. (have discovered)
_ The idea was germinating while we were on holiday. (was beginning to develop)
_ Out-of-town shopping centres have been sprouting all over the country. (have been appearing quickly in large numbers)
_ Our business is flourishing. (is doing very well)
_ A deciduous tree sheds its leaves. (loses)
_ People can shed (v- bỏ rơi, để rơi) employees/traditions/worries/inhibitions/weight
_ Plants fade, wither, shrivel and wilt when they die, Theses verbs can all be used metaphorically:
Hopes of finding survivors are fading. (becoming smaller)
High inflation means that our savings are shrivelling. (becoming less)
It was so hot in the classroom that the students were starting to visit. (lose energy)
A glance/look/remark can wither or be withering. (make the recipient feel scorned)
She gave him a withering look.

_ Alec has spent most of his life in London, but he is keen to go back to his roots when he retires.
_ The business is firmly rooted in the west of England.
_ The idea took some time to take root but it;s very fashionable now.
_ His grandfather sowed (v- gieo) the seeds of the business's success.
_ The US bookshop chain is opening a number of branches in the UK.
_ It;s about time she put down some roots.
_ The idea for her novel stems/stemmed from her interest in mountain climbing.
_ The St Jame's Drama College turns out a hundred budding actors every year.