21 Metaphors for Sex
Sex is one of the most natural human experiences—and also one of the most metaphorically described. Writers, poets, comedians, and everyday speakers have long used metaphors to talk about sex in more imaginative, indirect, or humorous ways. These metaphors can be romantic, playful, poetic, or even absurd—but they all help express intimacy without being too literal.
In this article, you’ll discover 21 creative metaphors for sex, each with a brief explanation and example sentence. Whether you’re writing fiction, understanding slang in movies, or just expanding your figurative vocabulary, these metaphors will help you interpret or describe intimacy with wit and subtlety.
1. Dancing in the sheets
Meaning: A poetic and playful metaphor for having sex
In a Sentence:
– “They spent the weekend dancing in the sheets at the cabin.”
– “Rom-coms often end with the couple finally dancing in the sheets.”
Tone: Light / Romantic / Playful
2. Knocking boots
Meaning: A humorous or slangy way to refer to sex
In a Sentence:
– “You could tell they’d been knocking boots by that grin on his face.”
– “The song’s lyrics are all about knocking boots with someone special.”
Tone: Casual / Slang
3. The horizontal tango
Meaning: A cheeky, rhythmic metaphor suggesting sex as a kind of dance
In a Sentence:
– “They couldn’t keep their hands off each other and ended up doing the horizontal tango.”
– “It’s hard to take that phrase seriously—it’s pure innuendo.”
Tone: Comedic / Euphemistic
4. Playing hide the sausage
Meaning: A crude but common humorous metaphor for sex
In a Sentence:
– “That movie was full of jokes about playing hide the sausage.”
– “Not exactly subtle, but clearly meant to be funny.”
Tone: Vulgar / Humorous
5. Pitching a tent in someone’s campsite
Meaning: A metaphor with layers of innuendo, implying penetration or sexual presence
In a Sentence:
– “He made a comment about pitching a tent in her campsite—everyone groaned.”
– “That metaphor isn’t exactly subtle, but it shows up in adult humor.”
Tone: Playful / Suggestive / Slang
6. Making the beast with two backs
Meaning: A poetic and old-fashioned metaphor for sex
In a Sentence:
– “The poem described them as making the beast with two backs.”
– “Shakespeare famously used this metaphor in his plays.”
Tone: Classic / Poetic / Historical
7. Riding the wave
Meaning: A metaphor suggesting both pleasure and rhythm, typically used to describe the act of sex in a smooth or enjoyable way
In a Sentence:
– “They were riding the wave, and everything felt perfect.”
– “In the movie, the couple was riding the wave of their relationship.”
Tone: Romantic / Fluid / Euphemistic
8. Bumping uglies
Meaning: A crude, slang expression referring to sex
In a Sentence:
– “They were clearly bumping uglies in the back room.”
– “It’s a phrase you’ll often hear in comedy sketches.”
Tone: Informal / Vulgar / Humorous
9. Hitting a home run
Meaning: A metaphor for successfully having sex, implying a victorious or satisfying experience
In a Sentence:
– “He finally hit a home run with her after weeks of dating.”
– “It was clear they were both hitting home runs that night.”
Tone: Sporty / Casual / Euphemistic
10. Tangoing in the dark
Meaning: A metaphor suggesting intimacy in secrecy or in a more sensual, exploratory context
In a Sentence:
– “They spent the night tangoing in the dark, figuring each other out.”
– “The novel depicted them tangoing in the dark, full of passion and mystery.”
Tone: Romantic / Sensual / Mysterious
11. Taking a tumble
Meaning: A light-hearted, sometimes humorous way to refer to sex
In a Sentence:
– “They ended up taking a tumble after the party.”
– “The couple had a little tumble on the couch.”
Tone: Casual / Playful
12. Making magic
Meaning: A romantic or whimsical way to describe sex, implying that it’s something special or extraordinary
In a Sentence:
– “They were making magic together, and nothing else mattered.”
– “When they’re together, it feels like they’re making magic.”
Tone: Romantic / Whimsical / Poetic
13. Going all the way
Meaning: A more direct and common way to imply having sex
In a Sentence:
– “After a few dates, they decided to go all the way.”
– “She wasn’t sure if she was ready to go all the way just yet.”
Tone: Direct / Casual
14. Walking on the wild side
Meaning: To engage in adventurous or taboo sexual activity
In a Sentence:
– “They were both curious and decided to walk on the wild side together.”
– “That night, they really walked on the wild side.”
Tone: Adventurous / Bold
15. Climbing the mountain
Meaning: A metaphor that implies sexual intensity, with the idea of reaching the peak of pleasure
In a Sentence:
– “They were both climbing the mountain together, reaching new heights.”
– “The scene described them climbing the mountain, breathless and intense.”
Tone: Intense / Passionate / Euphemistic
16. Playing the field
Meaning: Engaging in casual sexual relationships, typically without commitment
In a Sentence:
– “He was playing the field for a while before he settled down.”
– “She didn’t want a relationship, just playing the field.”
Tone: Casual / Slang
17. Under the covers
Meaning: A metaphor for having sex, often suggesting intimacy and privacy
In a Sentence:
– “They spent the night under the covers, sharing secrets and laughs.”
– “The film depicted them talking and then disappearing under the covers.”
Tone: Intimate / Suggestive
18. Making sparks fly
Meaning: A metaphor suggesting sexual attraction that results in intense chemistry
In a Sentence:
– “Their chemistry was undeniable—they were making sparks fly.”
– “Every time they met, it was like making sparks fly.”
Tone: Romantic / Passionate
19. Getting in the sack
Meaning: A casual or slang way to refer to having sex
In a Sentence:
– “After the party, they ended up getting in the sack.”
– “It wasn’t long before they were getting in the sack at his place.”
Tone: Informal / Casual
20. Tying the knot
Meaning: While typically referring to marriage, it’s sometimes used in sexual contexts, implying commitment or bonding
In a Sentence:
– “They talked about tying the knot after a few years of dating.”
– “They’re finally tying the knot after all these years.”
Tone: Formal / Comedic
21. Playing footsie
Meaning: Flirting or engaging in sexual tension, often subtly or under the radar
In a Sentence:
– “They started playing footsie under the table at dinner.”
– “She smiled when they began playing footsie during the meeting.”
Tone: Playful / Subtle
Practice Exercise
Fill in the blanks using the correct metaphor from the list above:
- After months of dating, they finally decided to ______ and take their relationship to the next level.
- Their chemistry was undeniable; it was clear they were ______ every time they met.
- She wanted to take things slow, so she wasn’t ready to ______ just yet.
- They didn’t have a long-term relationship—just some casual ______ for a few weeks.
- They spent the night ______, enjoying each other’s company.
- He didn’t mind just ______—he wasn’t looking for commitment.
Answer Key
- go all the way
- making sparks fly
- tie the knot
- playing the field
- under the covers
- getting in the sack
Conclusion
Sexual metaphors are a fun and nuanced way to talk about intimacy, and they can add creativity and depth to our conversations and writing. From the playful “bumping uglies” to the poetic “dancing in the sheets,” these metaphors allow us to describe intimate moments in unique and colorful ways.
While they add richness to language, it’s important to remember the context in which these metaphors are used—some can be humorous, others romantic, and a few even carry a bit of mystery. Now that you’re familiar with these 21 metaphors, you can understand and use them with confidence in the right settings.
