Well, we can use it metaphorically.

我们可以使用它的比喻意义。

Our sadness gets, to put it metaphorically, lost in the crowd.

打个比方，也就是说我们的伤心将消失在人海之中。

But we also use this metaphorically to talk about removing someone from power.

但我们也把它用作比喻意义，用来谈论将某人赶下台。

Now a bottle is a physical object, but you could also use the phrase more metaphorically.

现在瓶子是一个实体对象，但你也可以用这个短语作比喻。

So 'backtrack' is about going back metaphorically.

因此，backtrack 隐喻着后退。

Metaphorically speaking, " You're gonna need a bigger boat."

打个比方说，“你需要一艘更大的船。”

Back and forth is the physical movement, but you can also go back and forth more metaphorically.

反复可以是身体上的运动，但你也可以用更隐喻的方式说反复移动。

Yes, and we often use it like this, metaphorically.

是的，我们经常这样比喻。

And he says, metaphorically, states have grabbed the oars.

他还打了个比方说，各州已经抓住了船桨。

That is both literally and metaphorically a positive feedback loop.

无论是从直观还是隐含的角度看，这都是一个正反馈循环。