Simile
Mom was as proud as a------- when I got first place.
(chicken- peacock- cat)
peacock
means was very proud
He was a cheetah in the race. He was-------.
very fast
I need to hit the sack; I have to wake up early tomorroe.
go to bed
“Cold as stone.” – William Shakespeare
very cold and cruel
I'm bulletproof
metaphor meaning I'm very strong (Titanium song)
At forty, she was as blind as a --------- ; she couldn't see without her glasses.
(bat- cat- rat)
batmeaning: can't see well
I'm drowning in work!
I'm using qualities associated with one thing—the urgency and helplessness of drowning—to convey meaning for another thing—the work I've got to do
A: When do you think you’ll get married?
B: When pigs fly!
English speakers use this expression to talk about something that’s impossible or highly unlikely.
The news spread like wildfire.” – Jane Austen
News spread very quickly
You're never fully dressed without your smile
metaphor, smile makes you look good!
While all of us were panicking just before the declaration of the results, She was as cool as a--------- .
cucumber
relaxed
My teacher has a heart of stone.
Cruel or stern nature
You’ve missed the boat unfortunately – applications for the job closed about an hour ago.
missed the chance or the opportunity to do something you wanted to do, often due to lateness.
“She was as unpredictable as a storm.” – Agatha Christie
so sudden and violent, like a storm
You Can’t Judge A Book By Its Cover.
Don't judge by appearance
The maid has done a good job, and the hall is as clean as a ------------.
Whistle
very clean
Her heart sank on hearing the terrible news. She felt-------.
Meaning: The sinking of the heart is termed to emphasise on deep sorrow.
The kids decided to bite the bullet and clean their rooms so they could go to the park.
if you bite the bullet, then you decide to make yourself do something difficult even though you don’t want to.
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances…”
In this iconic simile, Shakespeare compares the world to a stage and people to actors, emphasizing the transient and performative nature of life. This simile resonates deeply with readers, capturing the essence of human existence in a theatrical analogy.
A Hot Potato
I can’t believe that journalist asked the president about immigration – it’s a hot potato at the moment!
A problem or a situation that no-one wants to talk about because it’s so controversial and causes so many arguments.
My grandmother's 89, but she's as fit as a--------- .
meaning: in very good health.
Note: The violin was picked out as the exemplar because of the alliteration of fit and fiddle, and because the violin is a beautifully shaped instrument producing a very particular sound. But then fit came to mean 'in good physical shape' and so fit as a fiddle came to mean 'in good condition physically'.
Fire away, fire away / You shoot me down, but I won’t fall / I am titanium
I'm strong; no matter what happens, I will survive.
Take Something With A Grain/Pinch Of Salt
He’s got a reputation for being a bit of a liar so take what he says with a pinch of salt.
If you take what someone says with a grain of salt, you don’t take it too seriously.
Look like th' innocent flower, But be the serpent under 't.
when a person looks innocent, but in reality a mean and evil person.
Shalespear, Macbeth
Whenever my mother-in-law visits I'm walking on eggshells in my own home.
to be very careful not to upset someone