trope
UK: trəʊp | US: troʊp
n. a figurative or metaphorical use of a word or expression
n. a recurring theme or motif in literature, art, or culture
n. (in rhetoric) a figure of speech that alters the literal meaning of a word
The word "trope" originates from the Greek tropos, meaning "turn" or "direction." This reflects its rhetorical function as a "turn" of phrase—a deviation from literal meaning to figurative expression. In classical rhetoric, tropes were tools to enrich language (e.g., metaphor, irony). Over time, the term expanded to describe recurring stylistic or thematic patterns in storytelling, emphasizing how ideas "turn" or evolve across works.
The novel subverts the classic "hero’s journey" trope.
Irony is a common trope in satirical writing.
Filmmakers often rely on visual tropes to convey emotions quickly.
The phrase "time is money" is a well-worn trope.
Her speech was full of rhetorical tropes to engage the audience.