Category: Like …

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

(To be) like water off a duck’s back.

If something is like water off a duck’s back to a person, it means it has no impact on that person.  It doesn’t affect that person at all. This phrase is often used with regard to insults or criticisms.

E.g. She told him he was lazy but he didn’t care – it was like water off a duck’s back to him.

(To be) like gold dust.

If something is like gold dust, it is very difficult to find or obtain.  It may also be valuable if a lot of people are trying to find or obtain it.

E.g. I’ve tried and tried but I cannot get tickets for the concert.  They are like gold dust.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To have a mind / memory like a sieve.

If someone has a mind (or memory) like a sieve, he / she finds it difficult to remember things. He / she forgets things very easily.

E.g. I know I promised to send you the details but I have a memory like a sieve and I totally forgot. Sorry!

To have a memory like an elephant.

If someone has a memory like an elephant he / she has an extremely good memory, can remember things easily and can remember things for a long time.

E.g.  She has a memory like an elephant.  She can tell you all the family birthdays and anniversaries without needing to check.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To tell it like it is.

If someone tells it like it is, he/she speaks the truth directly, bluntly and to the point even if what is being said is unpleasant for the listener.

E.g. If you really want the truthful answer, just ask him. He won’t hold back.  He always tells it like it is.

To work like magic.

If something works like magic, it works extremely well. It is very effective.

E.g.  I tried the new product for the first time yesterday and was very impressed.  It worked like magic.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To play (someone) like a fiddle.

If you play someone like a fiddle, you are able to successfully and skillfully manipulate them into doing what you want.

E.g.  His kind words and compliments are totally insincere.  He doesn’t mean any of it. He’s playing you like a fiddle.

To come up/out smelling like roses.

If a person comes up/out smelling like roses, he/she continues to have a good reputation or success despite having been involved in a scandal or negative circumstances.

E.g.  As a result of the financial scandal many board members had to resign but she somehow came up/out smelling like roses.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To treat (someone or something) like dirt.

If a person treats another person like dirt, they behave disrespectfully towards that person. They behave as though the other person has less (or no) value.

E.g.  It’s no surprise at all that staff don’t stay at that company for very long.  The boss treats them like dirt.

(To work) like a dream.

If something works like a dream, it works very well – perhaps better than expected.

E.g.  Our plan worked like a dream. We all got the result we wanted and the boss was very pleased.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To grin / smile like a Cheshire cat.

If someone is grinning or smiling like a Cheshire cat they are smiling broadly, smugly and widely often because they are feeling very pleased with themselves.

(This was made popular by the character in Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.)

E.g.  We weren’t sure at the start who had played the joke on us until we noticed Simon grinning like a Cheshire Cat.  We knew then it was him.

To spread like wildfire.

If something (e.g. information or a disease) spreads like wildfire, it reaches a large number of people in a short space of time.

E.g. Rumours about him being fired for bad behaviour spread like wildfire. Everyone in the building knew by lunchtime.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To read someone like a book.

If you can read another person like a book, you can very easily analyse and understand them – especially their emotions, intentions and motivations.

E.g. He always knows when I am lying.  He can read me like a book.

To be like an open book.

If someone is like an open book, they are very open, honest and their feelings can be easily interpreted by others. They are easy to understand and have no secrets.

E.g.  Her life is like an open book.  She is very honest and has nothing to hide.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To be drawn to someone / something like a moth to a flame.

This is used to describe a situation where a person is instinctively or very strongly attracted to someone or something. (Just as a moth is attracted to bright lights or flames.)

E.g.  The bright lights of Hollywood are irresistible.  Young actors are drawn to the city like moths to a flame.

To be like a rat up a drainpipe.

This is informal language used in a situation where a person moves very quickly and opportunistically.

E.g.  He shot off like a rat up a drainpipe. (He got away very quickly.)

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

To avoid something / someone like the plague.

If you avoid someone or something like the plague, you stay away from the situation / person as much as possible.  You make a determined effort to go nowhere near the person or thing.

E.g. He’s terrified of dogs and avoids them like the plague.

To feel like a million dollars / bucks.

If you feel like a million dollars, you feel very attractive, well-dressed and/or healthy.

E.g.  She got a new hairstyle and some new clothes and felt like a million dollars.  Her new look gave her lots of confidence.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

There are many expressions commonly used in English to express similarity. 

There is no magic rule to help you remember them.  You just have to learn them.  Sorry!

Take a look at the examples below.

(To be) like a dog with a bone.

This is used when describing someone who is fixated on a particular problem or topic.  The person is determined to continue and is unwilling to stop (talking about it) until the problem is dealt with or a solution is found.

E.g.  As a journalist if she senses it’s a good story, she won’t let it go.  She’s very determined – like a dog with a bone.

(To be) like a fish out of water.

This is used when someone is feeling out of place or uncomfortable in a new environment or with new people.

E.g.  I had lived in big cities for my whole life.  When I retired and went to live in the countryside I felt like fish out of water at the beginning.  I had to get used to my new way of life.  Now I love it!

Have fun learning English!

Louise