AbstractThis paper discusses the potential of metaphor in the processes of cultural production. The authors believe that the creation of metaphors should be viewed as a mechanism for such production. This approach involves the interpretation of metaphor as a way of creating new meanings. The development of this idea requires a revision of the widespread substitution view of metaphor. So, if the literal meaning is known, the use of metaphors should be considered excessive. To avoid the view of metaphor as a simile or analogy, it must be assumed that through metaphor the common feature is created rather than explicated. To do this, a hypothesis is developed that the primary effect of metaphor is simply to capture imagination