Lexical figurative usage changes how a word denotes its meaning; rational figurative usage changes the assignment of a predicate to an associated element.
FeatureLexical figurative useRational figurative use
FocusWord-to-meaning relationPredication-to-bearer relation
Typical shiftCalling a brave man “a lion”“The river flowed” for water flowing in it
Interpretive keyRelated meaning and indicationRelated bearer and indication
Both require disciplined interpretation, but their objects of analysis differ.