例たとえに言いう

expression, godan verb (-u)

speak metaphorically; use a figure of speech

Used when clarifying that a statement is not literal but a metaphor or figure of speech.

• 「人じん生せいは旅たびだ」と例たとえに言いうことがある。

  People sometimes say metaphorically that 'life is a journey.'

• それは例たとえに言いっただけで、本ほん当とうに空そらを飛とべるわけではない。

  I was just speaking figuratively; it doesn't mean I can actually fly.