Final answer:
The phrase 'the best men likes water' uses a metaphor as a figure of speech. It depicts qualities like adaptability or depth symbolically rather than literally, similar to how water has been used metaphorically in various artistic and literary contexts to represent complex themes such as societal pressure, communication, and personal experience.
Step-by-step explanation:
The figure of speech used in the phrase 'the best men likes water' can be interpreted as a metaphor. This is because the comparison being made does not use 'like' or 'as,' which would indicate a simile. The notion of being like water reflects a sense of flexibility, depth, or the ability to flow around obstacles rather than a direct, literal comparison.
In art and literature, water is often used metaphorically. For example, Helen Keller's experience with water helped her understand the concept of language and communication, and the use of water in a fountain sculpture is both an aesthetic and sensory experience that could signify triumph or action. Moreover, David Foster Wallace's speech, which included themes of water, emphasized the importance of sincerity and selflessness over narcissism. Here, water serves as a metaphor for the different ways individuals experience and move through life.