English Idioms and Idiomatic Expressions
COMPARISONS - SIMILARITY, page 3
Idioms relating to comparisons and similarities
from: 'as quick as a dog can lick a dish'
to: 'as tough as old boots'
- as quick as a dog can lick a dish
- If you do something surprisingly fast,
you do it as quick as a dog can lick a dish.
"He packed his bag as quick as a dog can lick a dish."
- If you do something surprisingly fast,
you do it as quick as a dog can lick a dish.
- as quiet as a mouse
- When someone is as
quiet as a mouse, they make no noise at all.
"The burglar was as quiet as a mouse as he moved around the house."
- When someone is as
quiet as a mouse, they make no noise at all.
- as scarce as hens' teeth
- To say that something is
as scarce as hens' teeth emphasizes
that it is extremely rare, to the point of non-existence.
"Take enough supplies. Water is as scarce as hens' teeth where you're going!"
- To say that something is
as scarce as hens' teeth emphasizes
that it is extremely rare, to the point of non-existence.
- as sharp as a tack
- A person who is as sharp as a tack is able to think quickly
and learn very fast.
"You won't have to explain it to him twice. He's as sharp as a tack."
- A person who is as sharp as a tack is able to think quickly
and learn very fast.
- as slippery as an eel
- To say that someone is as slippery as an eel means that
they are difficult to catch and they manage to avoid answering questions.
"The man was as slippery as an eel. He was arrested for theft several times but was never convicted."
- To say that someone is as slippery as an eel means that
they are difficult to catch and they manage to avoid answering questions.
- as sly as a fox
- Someone who is as sly as a fox is cunning and clever
at getting what they want, especially by deceiving or tricking people.
"Be wary of that insurance salesman. He's as sly as a fox."
- Someone who is as sly as a fox is cunning and clever
at getting what they want, especially by deceiving or tricking people.
- (as) straight as an arrow
- Someone who is as straight as an arrow is a morally
upright person who is extremely honest.
"You can leave the keys with Andy. He's as straight as an arrow."
- Someone who is as straight as an arrow is a morally
upright person who is extremely honest.
- (as) straight as a ramrod
- Someone who is (as) straight as a ramrod is a person
who keeps a straight back and looks very serious.
"When my grandfather invited us for dinner, he used to sit straight as a ramrod at the head of the table."
- Someone who is (as) straight as a ramrod is a person
who keeps a straight back and looks very serious.
- as thick as thieves
- To say that two people are as thick as thieves
means that they are very close friends who are very loyal to each other.
"Chris always takes Danny's side. They're as thick as thieves."
- To say that two people are as thick as thieves
means that they are very close friends who are very loyal to each other.
- as stubborn as a mule
- If someone is as stubborn as a mule, they are very
obstinate and unwilling to listen to reason or change their mind.
"His friends advised him to accept the offer, but you know Larry - he's as stubborn as a mule!"
- If someone is as stubborn as a mule, they are very
obstinate and unwilling to listen to reason or change their mind.
- as tough as old boots
- If something, specially meat, is (as) tough as old boots,
it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.
(This can also refer to a person who is strong either physically or in character.)
"I was served a steak as tough as old boots."
- If something, specially meat, is (as) tough as old boots,
it is hard to cut and difficult to chew.
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