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.

Like a flash.

This is used to describe something that happens very quickly and / or suddenly.

E.g.  As soon as I saw that spider in the room, I took off like a flash.  I have a terrible phobia of spiders.

To go out like a light.

If someone goes out like a light it means they fall asleep very quickly or suddenly.

E.g.  He was incredibly tired.  He went out like a light as soon as his head hit the pillow.

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 eyes like a hawk.

If someone has eyes like a hawk, they are very observant and don’t miss things going on around them.

E.g.  Don’t remove anything from her office without asking first.  She has eyes like a hawk and will notice straight away if you do.

To be packed in like sardines.

This is used to describe a situation where it is very overcrowded or full.

E.g. I don’t like travelling on the tram at peak times.  It’s always so overcrowded and the people are packed in like sardines.  Sometimes you can hardly breathe!

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 breath of fresh air.

This phrase is used to describe someone or something that is new, refreshing and pleasantly different.

E.g.  The new boss is like a breath of fresh air.  He is full of good ideas and has a fresh approach to solving the problems within the department.

Like a bull in a china shop.

This is used to describe a person who behaves clumsily, aggressively or without tact in a situation that requires a more delicate or considered approach.

E.g.  You can’t attack this problem like a bull in a china shop.  It’s very complicated and we need to take our time to work out the best solution.

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 eat like a horse.

If someone eats like a horse, they consume a large amount of food on a regular basis.

E.g.  You’ll have to make some more.  That won’t be enough for him.  He eats like a horse.

To fight like a lion.

If someone fights like a lion, they defend their position fiercely with great passion, intensity and bravery.

E.g.  They fought like lions until the end.

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 get on like a house on fire.

If two or more people get on like a house on fire, they enjoy spending time with each other and (quickly) become good friends.

E.g.  I wasn’t sure if my best friend would like my new boyfriend, but they got on like a house on fire and we are all meeting up again next week.

Like a bolt from the blue.

This phrase is used to describe something that happens totally unexpectedly and without warning.

E.g.  News that they wanted to close down one of the factories came like a bolt from the blue.  Nobody was expecting it at all.  We are still in shock!

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 face like thunder.

If someone has a face like thunder, they are extremely unhappy about something.  This facial expression displays anger and hostility.

E.g.  He didn’t say anything, but I could tell he was angry about the situation as he had a face like thunder.

To be shaking like a leaf.

If someone is shaking like a leaf, they are trembling because they are very frightened or nervous about something. It can be used figuratively.

E.g.  I was shaking like a leaf as I went into the job interview.  I was so nervous because I really wanted to get the job!

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.

Like oil and water.

This is used to describe people or situations that are incompatible and refers to the fact that oil and water have a natural tendency to separate.

E.g.  They just can’t work well together in the team.  They are like oil and water and just can’t seem get along with each other.

To drop like flies.

This is used to describe a situation where people are adversely affected by a problem or illness, usually in large numbers.

E.g.  We are short-staffed this week and a lot of people are off ill.  It’s the flu season and people are dropping like flies!

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 drink like a fish.

If someone drinks like a fish, they consume large amounts of alcohol on a regular basis.

E.g.  It wasn’t surprising to hear he was drunk at the party.  He drinks like a fish!

Eat like a bird.

If someone eats like a bird, they consume very small amounts of food. (The phrase evokes the image of a bird pecking at its food and only taking small amounts each time.)

E.g.  She is very slim because she has always eaten like a bird.

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.

Like a red rag to a bull.

If you describe something as being like a red rag to a bull, you mean that it is certain to result in an angry (or possibly even violent) reaction from another person or a group of people.

E.g.  Just mentioning her ex-husband’s name was like a red rag to a bull.

Like looking for a needle in a haystack.

If you describe something as like looking for a needle in a haystack, it means the thing you are looking for is extremely difficult, or even impossible to find.

E.g.  He tried to find his lost contact lens on the beach, but it was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

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 stand out like a sore thumb.

If something or someone stands out like a sore thumb, they are very noticeable to other people because they are very different from the people or things around them.

E.g.  I was the only one who didn’t wear a costume at the carnival party in Cologne.  I stood out like a sore thumb.

Like herding cats.

This is used to refer to an impossible situation or task.  It’s often used when describing the difficulty of organising people.

E.g. They are impossible to manage.  The just don’t listen!  They go off and all do their own thing.  It’s like herding cats!

Have fun learning English!

Louise