&gt; If you are a native speaker, rarely. Otherwise, all the freaking times (for the first ten years or so).<p>Not a native speaker. Not my experience at all. In fact, from my experience watching people learn English around me (and teaching some of them), reusing concepts like this actually helps them get the meaning because they can relate to words they know.<p>Maybe it&#x27;s because such metaphors are pervasive in my native language too?<p>&gt; E.g., consider the difference between a &quot;cool guy&quot; and a &quot;cool attitude&quot;. If you think about it, they describe almost totally opposite situations.<p>I don&#x27;t see how they&#x27;re opposite. Hot-headed people (see how the metaphor is still at play?) aren&#x27;t considered cool at all.<p>&gt; Or consider &quot;No, it&#x27;s cool.&quot; After all, &quot;it&#x27;s hot&quot; means the temperature is high.<p>What do you mean? &quot;It&#x27;s cool&quot; = &quot;the situation isn&#x27;t hot&quot;. You don&#x27;t have to worry about being burnt (again, same metaphor) by the situation.