Metaphors for Sex can sound witty, playful, or painfully outdated—depending on the phrase you choose. If you’ve ever stumbled for words when writing a steamy scene or joking with friends, this guide has your back.
Below you’ll find 50 vivid, well-sorted metaphors that turn awkward silence into clever innuendo and let you express intimacy with style.
Best Metaphors for Sex
1. Make the beast with two backs
Meaning: A poetic and euphemistic metaphor for two lovers in the act of sex, famously used by Shakespeare.
In a Sentence:
They vanished into the room, ready to make the beast with two backs.
It sounded romantic until I realized Shakespeare meant they were going to have sex.
Other Ways to Say: Join as one, The ancient act, United in the flesh
2. Amorous congress
Meaning: A formal, elegant term referring to sexual intercourse, often used in medical or historical contexts.
In a Sentence:
Their relationship began with longing and led to an amorous congress.
The novel referred to it only as “amorous congress”—very 19th century.
Other Ways to Say: Carnal union, Passionate engagement, Physical intimacy
3. Act of darkness
Meaning: A metaphor for secret or morally ambiguous sex, often used in religious or gothic literature.
In a Sentence:
Their affair was described as an act of darkness—hidden from daylight and judgment.
She trembled not from fear, but from the thrill of the act of darkness.
Other Ways to Say: Forbidden love, Shadowed desire, Sinful embrace
4. Riding St. George
Meaning: An old English euphemism referencing the sexual position with a woman on top; metaphorical and medieval in flavor.
In a Sentence:
He joked about “riding St. George,” but she just rolled her eyes.
It sounded noble until I learned what riding St. George really meant.
Other Ways to Say: The queen’s command, Chivalrous passion, Lady-led love
5. Green gown
Meaning: A metaphor from the 16th century, meaning sex on the grass (literally staining a dress green). It implies seduction, youth, and outdoor romance.
In a Sentence:
She wore no green gown, but the grass beneath her remembered.
They laughed under the moonlight, trading whispers and a green gown.
Other Ways to Say: Nature’s tryst, Love among the leaves, The forest’s kiss
6. Nightly performance
Meaning: A playful yet slightly theatrical metaphor for sex, implying routine, expectation, and passion.
In a Sentence:
He arrived for their nightly performance, as scripted by passion.
Not every evening was fireworks, but their nightly performance kept the spark alive.
Other Ways to Say: Evening ritual, Passion play, Bedroom curtain call
7. Dance of love
Meaning: A tender metaphor likening sex to a graceful, rhythmic dance shared between two lovers.
In a Sentence:
Their bodies moved in harmony, lost in the dance of love.
It wasn’t rushed—it was a slow, meaningful dance of love.
Other Ways to Say: Passionate choreography, Rhythmic union, Mutual sway
8. Enter the temple
Meaning: A spiritual or sacred metaphor, likening sex to a divine act of reverence and unity.
In a Sentence:
He approached her body like he was entering a temple—slowly, reverently.
To them, love was sacred, and every touch was entering the temple.
Other Ways to Say: Sacred union, Ritual of love, Divine encounter
9. Pillow talk in motion
Meaning: A poetic blend of conversation and intimacy, suggesting sex as a moving exchange of emotion and body.
In a Sentence:
Their intimacy wasn’t silent—it was pillow talk in motion.
Every kiss spoke volumes—words and touch danced in pillow talk in motion.
Other Ways to Say: Whispered connection, Emotional rhythm, Fluent passion
10. A visit from Eros
Meaning: A mythological metaphor referring to being overcome by desire or seduced into lovemaking, inspired by the Greek god of love.
In a Sentence:
She blamed it on a visit from Eros—sudden, sweet, and unstoppable.
He smiled like someone kissed by a visit from Eros.
Other Ways to Say: Cupid’s moment, Desire’s spell, Lover’s enchantment
11. Shaking the sheets
Meaning: A playful and lighthearted way to describe passionate sex, often energetic and enthusiastic.
In a Sentence:
They were up all night shaking the sheets like a rock band on tour.
You could tell from the bedhead—some serious sheet-shaking went down.
Other Ways to Say: Rocking the bed, Mattress marathon, Passion tremor
12. Bump uglies
Meaning: A humorous and slightly crude way to refer to intercourse, emphasizing the physical over the romantic.
In a Sentence:
They had no chemistry, yet somehow still managed to bump uglies.
He whispered, “Wanna bump uglies?”—romance clearly wasn’t his strong suit.
Other Ways to Say: Get it on, Smash parts, Tangle up
13. Knock boots
Meaning: A cowboy-style slang term for having sex, often used with a chuckle or wink.
In a Sentence:
They weren’t just dating—they were knocking boots every weekend.
The neighbors could hear them knocking boots through the walls.
Other Ways to Say: Roll in the hay, Ride the rodeo, Shake the barn
14. Do the horizontal mambo
Meaning: A comical and musical metaphor for having sex, suggesting rhythm and physical movement.
In a Sentence:
They couldn’t keep their hands off each other—always doing the horizontal mambo.
The date ended with wine, laughter, and a little horizontal mambo.
Other Ways to Say: Bedroom boogie, Sheet salsa, Love tango
15. Hide the sausage
Meaning: A cheeky and euphemistic expression, focusing on the phallic metaphor in a playful way.
In a Sentence:
He joked about hiding the sausage, and she rolled her eyes—then smiled.
The innuendo wasn’t subtle, but “hide the sausage” got the point across.
Other Ways to Say: Play sausage games, Stuff and seek Secret stash
Related Post: 50 Metaphors for Relationships That Speak the Truth
16. Jump someone’s bones
Meaning: A fun, aggressive phrase suggesting sudden, irresistible desire.
In a Sentence:
The moment he walked in, she wanted to jump his bones.
They didn’t even make it to the bedroom before the bone-jumping began.
Other Ways to Say: Pounce with passion, Devour with desire, Leap into lust
17. Play hide and seek
Meaning: A cute, almost childlike metaphor for playful exploration during intimacy.
In a Sentence:
They treated sex like play—always ready to play hide and seek.
With every touch, it felt like hide and seek, but with heat.
Other Ways to Say: Intimate tag, Naughty pursuit, Peek-a-boo passion
18. Do the deed
Meaning: A common euphemism for sex that’s broad, vague, and often used jokingly or to avoid direct terms.
In a Sentence:
They finally did the deed—complete with awkward giggles and tangled sheets.
He didn’t say much, just winked and asked if she wanted to do the deed.
Other Ways to Say: Get it on, Cross the line, Seal the deal
19. Hop on the good foot
Meaning: Slang with a dance vibe, used as a funny metaphor for initiating sex.
In a Sentence:
After drinks and dancing, she was ready to hop on the good foot.
He gave her a grin that said, “Let’s hop on the good foot tonight.”
Other Ways to Say: Kick into a rhythm, Move to the groove, Step into a passion
20. Netflix and chill
Meaning: A modern, meme-famous euphemism for casual sex, often disguised as innocent relaxation.
In a Sentence:
She invited him over to “Netflix and chill”—and they never turned on the TV.
It started with popcorn, and ended with no pants—classic Netflix and chill.
Other Ways to Say: Streaming seduction, Screen-to-sheet plan, Chill turned heated
21. Glaze the donut
Meaning: A provocative, tongue-in-cheek metaphor for sex that plays on the visual of sweetness and physicality.
In a Sentence:
He winked and said he wanted to glaze the donut—subtly clearly not his strong suit.
They disappeared into the kitchen for more than just actual donuts.
Other Ways to Say: Frost the cake, Sweeten the ring, Fill the pastry
22. Hot beef injection
Meaning: A crude, masculine-centric metaphor that uses humor and exaggeration to refer to penetration.
In a Sentence:
He bragged about offering a hot beef injection, and she laughed at his ridiculous confidence.
The phrase was tasteless, but somehow they both burst out laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Meat meet, Steak surprise, Carnal carve
23. Toss the salad
Meaning: A slang term with specific sexual connotation, often used jokingly or shockingly in informal settings.
In a Sentence:
He blushed when she joked about tossing the salad at dinner.
Some phrases aren’t for polite company—this was definitely one of them.
Other Ways to Say: Garden play, Leafy surprise, Rear cuisine
24. Stir the stew
Meaning: A metaphor suggesting ongoing intimacy or sexual chemistry between partners.
In a Sentence:
They’d been stirring the stew for months—flirty, spicy, and slow-cooked.
Their conversations always ended with steam rising—emotionally and otherwise.
Other Ways to Say: Simmer the heat, Spice the pot, Warm the cauldron
25. Feed the kitty
Meaning: A playful metaphor for stimulation or foreplay, often directed at female anatomy.
In a Sentence:
He loved to tease, always ready to feed the kitty before pouncing.
She purred with delight—he knew just how to treat her.
Other Ways to Say: Pet the purr, Soothe the feline, Meow massage
26. Warm the oven
Meaning: A gentle euphemism for preparing one’s partner for sex, often with foreplay or emotional warmth.
In a Sentence:
He took his time—knowing it was important to warm the oven first.
A little patience turned into passion that couldn’t be contained.
Other Ways to Say: Preheat the passion, Kindle the fire, Set the mood
27. Butter the biscuit
Meaning: A cheeky metaphor involving food and touch, often referring to stimulation or sex with playful imagery.
In a Sentence:
She laughed and said, “If you’re nice, I might let you butter the biscuit.”
It was breakfast, but the tension at the table wasn’t about toast.
Other Ways to Say: Honey the roll, Glaze the bun, Sweeten the scone
28. Stuff the taco
Meaning: A vivid and humorous metaphor for sex, particularly heteronormative and body-focused.
In a Sentence:
They joked shamelessly, and he offered to stuff her taco—with extra spice.
It wasn’t Taco Tuesday, but the craving hit hard.
Other Ways to Say: Fill the shell, Salsa seduction, Crave crunch time
29. Squeeze the peach
Meaning: A flirtatious metaphor centered on the visual and tactile appeal of the body.
In a Sentence:
He couldn’t resist reaching out—just to squeeze the peach.
That look she gave? Pure fruit is ripe for picking.
Other Ways to Say: Touch the fruit, Grab the curve, Juice the joy
30. Roast the turkey
Meaning: A humorous metaphor that exaggerates the act, often used to lighten the tone or laugh about sex.
In a Sentence:
He strutted like he was about to roast the turkey—confidence for days.
She joked, “Let’s baste the bird and make it a holiday to remember.”
Other Ways to Say: Stuff the bird, Sizzle the fowl, Feast of passion
31. Share the night
Meaning: A tender and poetic way to describe intimate connection and togetherness through physical and emotional closeness.
In a Sentence:
They didn’t rush; they simply shared the night, breath by breath.
To him, sharing the night was more about presence than passion.
Other Ways to Say: Rest in each other, Whisper in darkness, Lay close in time
32. Tangle in the sheets
Meaning: A soft and intimate metaphor that suggests cuddling, lovemaking, and emotional closeness.
In a Sentence:
They tangled in the sheets like two hearts tied together.
It wasn’t chaos—it was comfort, tangled in the sheets.
Other Ways to Say: Curl together, Wrap in warmth, Threaded in love
33. Melt into each other
Meaning: Describes a deep emotional and physical connection, where boundaries dissolve in affection.
In a Sentence:
With every touch, they melted into each other like wax and flame.
She didn’t just lie beside him—she melted into his arms.
Other Ways to Say: Dissolve in love, Sink into closeness, Flow into warmth
34. Moonlight encounter
Meaning: A dreamy metaphor that evokes a secret or magical romantic meeting, filled with soft desire.
In a Sentence:
Their moonlight encounter was fleeting but unforgettable.
The room faded; only moonlight and hearts remained.
Other Ways to Say: Midnight magic, Starlit moment, Dream-kissed touch
35. Fire in the dark
Meaning: A symbol of passion that lights up vulnerability and quiet intimacy.
In a Sentence:
They were fire in the dark—burning softly, but burning still.
One look and the room glowed with fire in the dark.
Other Ways to Say: Quiet flame, Hidden heat, Nightlight of desire
Related Post: 50 Metaphors for Love to Deepen Your Expression
36. Music between the sheets
Meaning: A romantic metaphor suggesting harmony, rhythm, and connection through intimate moments.
In a Sentence:
They moved in sync, like music between the sheets.
She said their silence sang—music between the sheets.
Other Ways to Say: Love’s lullaby, Sheet symphony, Bedroom ballad
37. Dance in the rain
Meaning: A metaphor for fearless and joyful intimacy, often despite chaos or emotional vulnerability.
In a Sentence:
They didn’t wait for perfect—they danced in the rain of each other’s flaws.
It was messy, and beautiful—like a dance in the rain.
Other Ways to Say: Love without umbrellas, Stormy tango, Splash of romance
38. Join as one
Meaning: A deeply symbolic and emotional way to express union through love and sex.
In a Sentence:
They didn’t just sleep together—they joined as one.
Every breath aligned when they joined as one.
Other Ways to Say: Merge in soul, Unite in heart, Embrace beyond flesh
39. Embrace of the soul
Meaning: A spiritual and poetic expression of intimacy that goes beyond the physical.
In a Sentence:
When they held each other, it was an embrace of the soul.
It wasn’t just skin—it was soul wrapped around soul.
Other Ways to Say: Spiritual touch, Deep connection, Intimacy reborn
40. Stars colliding
Meaning: A powerful yet romantic metaphor symbolizing overwhelming passion and emotional impact.
In a Sentence:
Their first night felt like stars colliding—bright, breathtaking, and irreversible.
Not a spark, but galaxies shifting—stars colliding in their kiss.
Other Ways to Say: Cosmic love, Planetary pull, Big bang of hearts
41. Pork
Meaning: A blunt and slang term for sex, typically used by men in informal or joking contexts.
In a Sentence:
He bragged to his friends about porking his ex—classy, right?
It wasn’t love; he just wanted to pork and vanish.
Other Ways to Say: Bang, Nail, Do the nasty
42. Bone
Meaning: A crude slang verb meaning to have sex, especially associated with male-driven casual talk.
In a Sentence:
He said, “I’d bone her in a heartbeat”—romance at its finest.
They boned in the backseat and never spoke again.
Other Ways to Say: Smash, Score, Get some
43. Flop in the hay
Meaning: A rustic, countryside metaphor for spontaneous or casual sex, often humorous and light.
In a Sentence:
They had a quick flop in the hay behind the barn.
Every summer romance ends with a little hay floppin’.
Other Ways to Say: Roll in the hay, Country quickie, Barn love
44. Lay the pipe
Meaning: A graphic and macho term for penetrative sex, often associated with exaggerated bravado.
In a Sentence:
He claimed he could lay the pipe like a professional—cue the eye rolls.
The conversation turned vulgar when he started talking about pipe-laying.
Other Ways to Say: Deliver the goods, Drill deep, Hit the line
45. Drill the well
Meaning: A rough metaphor implying dominance and intensity in sex.
In a Sentence:
He joked about drilling the well—she laughed, then kissed him anyway.
Drill metaphors belong more in plumbing than pillow talk.
Other Ways to Say: Tap that, Bore the hole, Hit the reserve
46. Clean the chimney
Meaning: A vulgar metaphor, usually a joke about oral sex or deep physical interaction.
In a Sentence:
He said he was “cleaning the chimney” and I spit out my drink.
No Santa here—just a guy with a wild imagination.
Other Ways to Say: Polish the pipe, Blow the soot, Sweep the service
47. Smash
Meaning: A modern, internet-born term for sex, often used casually or comedically.
In a Sentence:
They didn’t date, they just smashed—and that was fine with both.
“Smash or pass?” became his entire dating strategy.
Other Ways to Say: Hook up, Hit it, Wreck it
48. Bang
Meaning: A universal and punchy term for sex, common in slang and pop culture.
In a Sentence:
He wanted to bang her, she wanted poetry—guess who didn’t win.
It wasn’t passion—it was just a bang and goodbye.
Other Ways to Say: Nail, Screw, Hump
49. Get lucky
Meaning: A euphemism for having sex, usually implying it wasn’t guaranteed or expected.
In a Sentence:
He wore his best shirt hoping to get lucky.
It was her birthday—he thought that meant guaranteed luck.
Other Ways to Say: Score, Win the night, Strike gold
50. Go to Pound Town
Meaning: A humorous, graphic phrase meaning intense or vigorous sex, used sarcastically or proudly.
In a Sentence:
He said they “went to pound town”—she said it was more like a detour.
Pound Town isn’t romantic, but it gets the message across.
Other Ways to Say: Ride hard, Slam central, Passion express
Exercise to practice
- They didn’t just watch movies—they __________.
- In classic novels, lovers often __________ under the moon.
- He bragged about how often he __________, but no one believed him.
- The neighbors were clearly __________ last night—you could hear the bed creak.
- Rumor has it they disappeared behind the curtains to __________.
- After a few drinks, she teased that she might __________ with her date.
- The tabloids claimed the celebrity couple loved to __________ on tour.
- He joked that marriage is just an excuse to __________ every weekend.
- College gossip said the roommates were always sneaking off to __________.
- The comedian’s punch-line was that grandparents still __________ after all these years.
Answers
- Netflix and chilled
- made the beast with two backs
- knocked boots
- shook the sheets
- hid the sausage
- jump someone’s bones
- did the horizontal mambo
- lay the pipe
- bumped uglies
- porked
Conclusion
Metaphors for Sex prove that intimacy doesn’t have to sound clinical or cliché—it can shimmer with wit, humor, or literary heat. Now that you have a full menu of evocative phrases, trade the tired euphemisms for language that actually fits your scene and your voice.
Experiment, revise, and let each chosen metaphor carry the tone you want—whether playful, poetic, or daringly bold.
Danny Weber is a language enthusiast and freelance writer with a passion for unpacking the beauty of idioms and metaphors. Through years of research and creative exploration, Danny helps readers understand the deeper meanings behind familiar phrases—making figurative language feel accessible, engaging, and alive. Whether he’s decoding classic sayings or crafting new twists on old expressions, Danny’s work invites you to see language with fresh eyes.
