Now, in the story, tackle is used metaphorically.

tackle is used metaphorically.

but the Mesopotamians had slaves and they played this metaphorically resonant sport

but used metaphorically

Again, it's often used metaphorically to describe consequences or impacts

are metaphorically showing the next few months where to go

then exit the other side of a certain object and metaphorically speaking

Now, this headline is using 'trickle' metaphorically.

That's right. And we do often use the word 'trickle' metaphorically to talk

Hmm, well, sort of. But it's not really about slipping down a slope – only metaphorically.

slipping down a slope – only metaphorically.

feel like he will never measure up (literally as much as metaphorically).

metaphorically speaking, it means to become reeeeeeally angry, very quickly!