Why would one ever be so insane as to ditch a perfectly beautiful metaphor? Cut back, of course, prune if you like, so that the best metaphors are clear and sparkling. But I will throw out unread the book that promises me no metaphors inside.
Give a lot, expect a lot, and if you don't get it, prune.
I hope my tongue in prune juice smothers, If I belittle dogs and mothers.
Working for a federal agency was like trying to dislodge a prune skin from the roof of the mouth. More enterprise went into the job than could be justified by the results.
Prune - prune businesses, products, activities, people. Do it annually.
Leaders who fail to prune their pride will meet demise. That's not a guess, it's a guarantee. With pride, it's not a matter of 'if' we will fall, but 'when.' There are no exceptions.
You must prune dead or dying wood.