B1 Program - week 3
Vocabulary list - Similes
You’ve learnt all about comparative and superlative adjectives in our previous lesson.
Now, let’s go over another important grammatical tool used for making comparisons: the
simile.
A simile is a type of figurative language that compares one object to another by using the
words ‘like’ or ‘as’.
● Sandra was as blind as a bat.
Obviously, Sandra’s vision is not equal to that of a bat, but it makes for a wonderful visual
rich in detail. This is why similes are so useful.
Similes are quite easy to construct. When using ‘as’, they follow the pattern:
subject + to be + as + adjective + as object.
● We are as happy as pigs in mud.
When using ‘like’, your simile will follow the pattern: subject + to be + like object.
● We are like two peas in a pod.
You should use similes sparingly. They can add a great dimension of colour to your writing
and speaking, but too many can cause your reader or listener to lose focus. Now it’s time
to learn a few common similes. We will tell you what they mean and provide examples to
see how they function in a sentence.
as dead as a doornail /əz ded əz ə dɔːneɪl/ -
This means very dead, not having a chance
to get better.
● There was no doubt that my computer
was as dead as a doornail. I think it’s time
to buy a new one.
● After forgetting to water it for months,
my poor cactus was as dead as a doornail. ( which means there is no chance that the
cactus will become alive again)
● That TikTok trend is as dead as a doornail; nobody follows it anymore.
B1 Program - week 3
as strong as an ox /æz strɒŋ æz ən ɒks/ Oxen are very strong and have been known to
pull very heavy loads. This simile is great to describe someone or something as being
incredibly strong.
● I remember my dad being as strong as an ox. He would lift my brother and me up,
one in each arm!
● If you go to the gym every day, you too will be as strong as an ox.
as quiet as a mouse /æz ˈkwaɪət æz ə maʊs/ -Mice are very quiet creatures. You often
don’t hear them until it is 3am and they are running across your kitchen floor. ‘As quiet as
a mouse’ is a great way to describe someone who hardly makes any noise at all.
● We were as quiet as mice when we snuck in last night.
as black as night /æz blæk æz naɪt/ This one is pretty self-explanatory. We use this simile
to describe objects that are very dark.
● He likes his coffee to be as black as night. No milk, no cream, nothing!
as good as gold /æz ɡʊd æz ɡəʊld/ - This is used to describe someone who is
exceptionally well-behaved.
● You all have been as good as gold today, so let’s have a pizza party!
as dry as a bone /æz draɪ æz ə boʊn/ We use this to describe something that is extremely
dry and lacks any moisture.
● Our garden was as dry as a bone when we returned from holiday.
as mad as a hatter /æz mæd æz ə ˈhætər/ - I really love this next one: as mad as a hatter.
We use this simile to describe someone who is a bit crazy. A ‘hatter’ is someone who
made hats in the Middle Ages. These hatters often used toxic glue, which acted as poison
and caused them to go a bit mad!
● If Rima thinks I am going to work on Saturday, she’s as mad as a hatter.
as eager as a beaver /əz ˈiːɡər əz ə ˈbiːvər/ -You will often hear people described as an
‘eager beaver’. If you are eager to do something, you are very enthusiastic.
●“When I asked if he wanted to go bowling, he was as eager as a beaver.”
eat like a horse /iːt laɪk ə hɔːrs/ If you ‘eat like a horse’, it means you eat a lot!
● Kai ate like a horse after his long flight.
B1 Program - week 3
sleep like a log /sliːp laɪk ə lɒɡ/ Obviously, logs don’t move around very much, so this
simile is used to describe someone who sleeps very well.
● Wow! I slept like a log last night. I feel great!
work like a dream/charm /wɜːrk laɪk ə driːm/tʃɑːrm/ If something works like a dream, it
works perfectly well.
● The new security cameras we installed work like a dream.
fit like a glove /fɪt laɪk ə ɡlʌv/ If something fits like a glove, it is exactly the right size and fits
perfectly.
● Andrea couldn't believe it, but her wedding dress fit like a glove.
swim like a fish /swɪm laɪk ə fɪʃ/ Someone who swims like a fish is a very strong swimmer.
They swim like how a fish swims!
● My nephew has been swimming since he was young and now he swims like a fish.
to drink like a fish /drɪŋk laɪk ə fɪʃ/ This describes someone who drinks a lot of alcohol.
●“My uncle drinks like a fish. He loves red wine.”
eyes like a hawk /aɪz laɪk ə hɔːk/ Hawks are predatory birds with incredible eyesight. If you
have eyes like a hawk, you have extremely keen vision. You don’t miss anything. This
would be the opposite of ‘as blind as a bat’.
● My uncle had eyes like a hawk and always knew when I was lying.
Remember, these are some common similes you can use in your writing and speaking but
don’t be afraid to get creative. Create your own similes to truly express the message you
want to share.