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.
as soon as possible
Definition: At the earliest moment
possible
Could you reply to my request as soon as
possible.
I'll get back to you as soon as possible

with the information.