This document provides examples of common similes used in English language. A simile directly compares two things using 'like' or 'as' to highlight similarities between them. The document lists 14 similes with examples of their usage to describe characteristics such as anger, intelligence, eagerness, speed and honesty in a vivid, descriptive way.

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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Similes – 31 Mar
like a bad taste on his tongue
Difficult to accept, admit or bear
The 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.

5. Similes – 1 Apr
like a magic wand
Having the amazing ability
Each dollar bill was a like a magic wand to cast away
problems for the less fortunate.
like I was speaking in a strange alien
tongue
Did not understand
She looked at me like I was speaking in a strange alien
tongue.

6. Similes – 2 Apr
like gigantic concrete shoes
Exaggerates the ‘heaviness’ of the burden to describe the
great sense of relief felt
When 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 rain
Projects the image of shapelessness and deterioration
onto a human’s face in his old age
My face looks like a wedding cake left in the rain.

7. Similes – 3 Apr
like a sieve
Used to emphasise that a person is very forgetful
Joseph needs to remind Mikail about the test tomorrow
as Mikail has a memory like a sieve.
like a Trojan
Used to describe a person who works extremely hard
Gibson is working like a Trojan to ensure that he could
ace the examination with his perseverance.

8. Similes – 4 Apr
like a bolt from the blue
Used to emphasise how suddenly and unexpectedly
something happened
The announcement that the firm had gone bankrupt was
like a bolt from the blue to most of the workforce.
as bright as a button
Used to emphasise how intelligent or clever a person is
Gregory was obviously as bright as a button and is able
to understand the Science concepts immediately.

9. Similes – 7 Apr
like a Cheshire cat
Used to emphasise how widely a person is smiling
Therese was smiling like a Cheshire cat when she knew that
she had achieved excellent results for the examination.
like clockwork
Something that works very well or happens in exactly the
desired way without problems
The programme for Speech Day went like clockwork,
largely thanks to the efficiency of the organising
committee.

10. Similes – 8 Apr
as cross as two sticks
Used to emphasise how angry or bad-tempered a person is
It 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 rain
Used to emphasise that a person is perfectly well or
healthy
Even 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.

11. Similes – 9 Apr
As different as chalk and cheese
Used to emphasise how unalike two people are
Wesley and Wilfred are brothers, but when it comes to
personality, they are as different as chalk and cheese.
As keen as mustard
Used 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.

12. Similes – 10 Apr
like a duck to water
Naturally good at something or find it very easy to do
Aloysious took to driving like a duck to water and
passed her test on her first attempt.
like greased lightning
Extremely fast
Mark left the starting line like greased lightning, but he
stumbled and fell halfway along the track.

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