A comparison of two things by using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’

Similes

• An expression that describes something by comparing it with something else, using the words ‘as’ or ‘like’.

• The comparison points out a similarity between the two, which allows us to understand the first thing better.

Similes

• Writers, especially poets, use similes to point out new and interesting ways of viewing the world.

• Their use of similes provides us with vivid mental pictures that make their thoughts and perspectives more accessible.

Similes – 31 Mar

like a bad taste on his tongueDifficult to accept, admit or bearThe truth was like a bad taste on his tongue.

like flat soda Lack satisfying sensation.Alan’s jokes were like flat soda to the children, surprisingly unpleasant.

Similes – 1 Aprlike a magic wand Having the amazing abilityEach dollar bill was a like a magic wand to cast away problems for the less fortunate.

like I was speaking in a strange alien tongueDid not understandShe looked at me like I was speaking in a strange alien tongue.

Similes – 2 Aprlike gigantic concrete shoesExaggerates the ‘heaviness’ of the burden to describe the great sense of relief feltWhen he lifted me up in his arms, I felt I had left all my troubles on the floor beneath me like gigantic concrete shoes.like a wedding cake left in the rainProjects the image of shapelessness and deterioration onto a human’s face in his old ageMy face looks like a wedding cake left in the rain.

Similes – 3 Aprlike a sieveUsed to emphasise that a person is very forgetfulJoseph needs to remind Mikail about the test tomorrow as Mikail has a memory like a sieve.

like a TrojanUsed to describe a person who works extremely hardGibson is working like a Trojan to ensure that he could ace the examination with his perseverance.

Similes – 4 Aprlike a bolt from the blueUsed to emphasise how suddenly and unexpectedly something happenedThe announcement that the firm had gone bankrupt was like a bolt from the blue to most of the workforce. as bright as a buttonUsed to emphasise how intelligent or clever a person isGregory was obviously as bright as a button and is able to understand the Science concepts immediately.

Similes – 7 Aprlike a Cheshire catUsed to emphasise how widely a person is smilingTherese was smiling like a Cheshire cat when she knew that she had achieved excellent results for the examination.

like clockworkSomething that works very well or happens in exactly the desired way without problemsThe programme for Speech Day went like clockwork, largely thanks to the efficiency of the organising committee.

Similes – 8 Apras cross as two sticksUsed to emphasise how angry or bad-tempered a person isIt is not a good day to ask your father for more pocket money. His football team has just lost and he is as cross as two sticks.

as right as rainUsed to emphasise that a person is perfectly well or healthyEven though Wesley’s hand is in a cast, he is as right as rain and is able to serve the ball in a volleyball match.

Similes – 9 AprAs different as chalk and cheeseUsed to emphasise how unalike two people areWesley and Wilfred are brothers, but when it comes to personality, they are as different as chalk and cheese. As keen as mustardUsed to emphasise how enthusiastic or eager a person is Busyar is as keen as mustard on doing well for the examination that she has started her revision earlier than usual.

Similes – 10 Aprlike a duck to waterNaturally good at something or find it very easy to doAloysious took to driving like a duck to water and passed her test on her first attempt. like greased lightningExtremely fastMark left the starting line like greased lightning, but he stumbled and fell halfway along the track.

Similes – 11 Aprlike the back of your handvery familiar with it and know it extremely wellClement knows the similes like the back of his hand and he did very well for the VIE test.as honest as the day is longUsed to emphasise how honourable, truthful or trustworthy a person isYou can certainly trust what Hafiz says. He is as honest as the day is long.