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 sleep like a log.

If you sleep like a log, you sleep very soundly (deeply) and cannot be woken up easily.

E.g.  There was some turbulence on the flight so I couldn’t sleep very well but it didn’t bother my colleague.  She slept like a log for the whole flight.

To fit like a glove.

If something fits like a glove, it is the perfect size and shape for someone.

E.g.  This is my favourite suit.  It fits like a glove and is so comfortable to wear.

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 watching paint dry.

If something is like watching paint dry it means it is extremely dull or boring. 

E.g.  Don’t bother going to watch that play.  It’s like watching paint dry.  I walked out halfway through.

To go down like a lead balloon.

If something goes down like a lead balloon, it means people don’t like it at all.  It’s very unpopular or a failure.

E.g.  The new proposals went down like a lead balloon.  Nobody thought they were a good idea.

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 cat and dog.

If two people argue or fight like cat and dog it means they argue frequently but are still very fond of each other.

E.g.  Even though they fight like cat and dog they’re still together after more than 20 years.

Like death warmed up.

If someone looks like death warmed up it means they look ill or very tired.

E.g.  My supervisor sent me home from work today.  He said I looked like death warmed up.

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 the cat that got the cream (UK) / Like the cat that ate a canary (USA)

If someone looks like the cat that got the cream they look pleased with themselves, self-satisfied or smug (usually after having achieved their objective).

E.g. After his promotion he spent the rest of the day looking like the cat that got the cream.

Like something the cat dragged in.

If you compare a person to something the cat dragged in you are saying they look very untidy, unkempt, dirty or bedraggled.

E.g.  After playing outside in the mud and rain the kids came home looking like something the cat had dragged in.

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 broken record.

If someone sounds like a broken record, they repeat themselves over and over again.

E.g.  Mum!  Stop telling me to clean my room.  You sound like a broken record!

Like a cat on hot bricks.

If someone is like a cat on hot bricks they are behaving in a restless or nervous way.

E.g.  She was like a cat on hot bricks waiting for the results of her job interview.

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 bear with a sore head.

If someone is like a bear with a sore head they are extremely grumpy, irritable, bad-tempered or annoyed.

E.g. He’s always like a bear with a sore head in the mornings.  Don’t try to speak to him until he’s had his coffee.

Like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

This expression indicates a lack of preparation or being inadequately equipped to deal with a confrontation or a challenging situation.

E.g.  If you haven’t studied Law, choosing to represent yourself in court is like bringing a knife to a gunfight.

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 the back of one’s hand.

If you know something like the back of your hand, you know it in great detail and are very familiar with it.

E.g. I know this city like the back of my hand.  I’ve lived here all my life.

 

Like a bat out of hell.

If something or someone moves like a bat out of hell, they move extremely quickly (and perhaps suddenly or abruptly).

E.g.  The tyres squealed as he pulled away from the curb and sped like a bat out of hell down the road.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise