A. As ... as

As ... as similes are easy to understand. If you see the phrase as dead as a doornail, you don’t need to know what a doornail is, simply that the whole phrase means ‘totally dead’. But remember fixed similes are usually informal and often humorous. Those marked * are negative and could offend. Use all these expressions with care and keep them generally as part of your receptive vocabulary.

Some can be remembered as pairs of opposites.

• as heavy as lead # as light as a feather
• as drunk as a lord* # as sober as a judge
• as black as night # as white as snow (particularly used in fairy tales)

Some can be remembered by sound patterns.

• as good as gold (this is used about children’s behaviour)
• as cool as a cucumber
• as busy as a bee

Some other useful phrases using as ... as:

• The bed was as hard as iron and I couldn’t sleep.
• I’ll give this plant some water. The soil’s dry as a bone.
• She told the teacher, as bold as brass, that his lessons were boring.
• You’ll have to speak slowly and clearly – he’s as deaf as a post*.
• Don’t worry. Passing this exam is as easy as pie.
• She knew the answer as quick as a flash.
• The Princess’s skin was as white as snow. [beautifully white]
• When he saw it, his face went as white as a sheet. [pale with fear/horror]
• The fish was bad and I was as sick as a dog. [vomiting]
• She ran off with my money – I felt as sick as a parrot. [bad feeling of disappointment/frustration]

B. Like

• My plan worked like a dream and the problem was soon solved. [worked very smoothly and well]
• Be careful the boss doesn’t see you – she has eyes like a hawk. [sees everything]
• No wonder he’s fat. He eats like a horse and drinks like a fish*.
• Did you sleep well? Yes, thanks, like a log.
• Sorry, I forgot to ring him again. I’ve got a mind/head like a sieve! [be very forgetful]
• The boss is like a bear with a sore head today. [in a very bad temper]
• She goes around like a bull in a china shop*. [behaving in a very clumsy, insensitive way]
• Criticising the government in his presence is like a red rag to a bull. [certain to make him very angry]