English Idioms

as big as life
Definition: An exaggerated way to state that someone appeared in a particular place.
There I saw him as big as life! John came in the room and stood there as big as life.
as black as pitch
Definition: Very dark
I couldn`t see a thing in the room because it was as black as pitch. I can`t see a thing. It`s as black as pitch. Get a flashlight.
as blind as a bat
Definition: Very bad eyesight
He`s as blind as a bat. You can believe what he says. That ball was in! You`re as blind as a bat!
as busy as a beaver / as busy as a bee
Definition: Very busy
I was as busy as a bee over the weekend. I got a lot done. He`s always as busy as a beaver. I wonder if he ever takes a break.
as clean as a whistle
Definition: Very clean


That car is as clean as a whistle now that you`ve washed it. I like to keep my desk as clean as a whistle.
as clear as crystal
Definition: Very clear and understandable
Let me be as clear as crystal. Hurry up! She was as clear as crystal about her intentions.
as cool as a cucumber
Definition: Calm and not nervous
You have to remain as cool as a cucumber to be successful. I stayed as cool as a cucumber as finished the exercise.
as crazy as a loon
Definition: Very crazy
She`s as crazy as a loon. You can`t believe a word she says. I wouldn`t worry about his opinion, he`s as crazy as a loon.
as dead as a doornail
Definition: dead
That`s as dead as a doornail. Forget about it. The project is as dead as a doornail.
as easy as pie
Definition: Very easy
You`ll find the exercise is as easy as pie. This game is as easy as pie.
as far as possible
Definition: As much as possible
I`ll see what I can do as far as possible. She went as far as possible in trying to get the project approved.
as flat as a pancake
Definition: Very flat
Kansas is as flat as a pancake. Make sure the table is as a flat as a pancake.
as free as a bird
Definition: Feeling very free and care easy
Our children are away for the weekend so we`re as free as a bird. I used to feel as free as a bird when I was younger.
as good as done
Definition: Almost done
The job is as good as done. We`re almost ready to begin. The cake is as good as done.
as happy as a clam
Definition: Very happy and content
I`m as happy as a clam living in Portland. She seemed as happy as a clam yesterday.
as hard as nails
Definition: Cruel and very hard
He`s as hard as nails with his staff. Don`t work for her. She`s as hard as nails.
as hungry as a bear
Definition: Very hungry
Do you have a sandwich? I`m as hungry as a bear. When we arrived I was as hungry as a bear.
as innocent as a lamb
Definition: Without guilt
There`s no way she could have done that. She`s as innocent as a lamb. He`s only pretending to be as innocent as a lamb.
as mad as a hatter
Definition: Crazy
Don`t believe anything he says. He`s as mad as a hatter. They threw him out of court because he was as mad as a hatter.
as old as the hills
Definition: Very old
My aunt is as old as the hills. That car is as old as the hills.
as plain as day
Definition: Simple, clear
The facts are as plain as day. What you need to do is as plain as day.

as pleased as punch
Definition: Very happy with something
He`s as pleased as punch with the new boss. She`s as pleased as punch with her new car.
as quiet as a mouse
Definition: Very quiet, shy
She sat in the corner and was as quiet as a mouse at the party. Can you believe that he was as quiet as a mouse when he was a boy?
as right as rain
Definition: Genuine and true
Yes, that`s as a right as rain! She feels his views are as right as rain.
as sick as a dog
Definition: Very sick
My brother is at home as sick as a dog. I`m feeling as sick as a dog. I think I need to go home.
As sly as a fox
Definition: Smart and clever
She understood the situation and used it to her advantage because she`s as sly as a fox. Don`t trust him because he`s as sly as a fox