AS WISE AN AN OWL

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The notion of simile is about the creation of an image in your mind as you use the simile to compare something or somebody with another notion you are familiar with.

In a simile two objects are compared on the ground of similarity of some quality. This feature is called foundation. Most of the similes have conjunctions 'as...as'. There are some other similes that are represented with the help of such verbs as: 'to resemble, to seem, to look like etc.

Bear in mind that the foundation of the simile can be both explicit and implicit.

For example, when you say 'As blind as a bat', an image of a bat comes to your mind. As you know that a bat is considered to be blind, you use it to describe somebody who could be as blind as a familiar animal to you.

NB: The images that make up similes may not always be the same in different languages. That is why it is better to be careful when using similes in the conversation with a representative of a different culture.

An English learner may not only improve his/her vocabulary by learning similes, but also learn more about the British culture as similes give a sort of a hint on how the native speakers see the world.

To better understand the British similes as well as better memorize them, you may study them as opposites.

1. Read the opposites of British similes and see if you can provide a suitable translation to each suggested example in your own language.

• as wet as a fish - as dry as a bone
• as plump as a partridge - as crafty as a rat
• as strong as a horse/an ox - as weak as a cat
• as hard as a flint - as soft as a mole
• as white as a lily - as black as coal
• as plain as a pike - as rough as a bear
• as tight as a drum - as free as the air
• as heavy as lead - as light as a feather
• as steady as time - as uncertain as weather
• as hot as an oven - as cold as a frog
• as gay as a lark - as sick as a dog
• as savage as a tiger - as mild as a dove
• as stiff as a poker - as limp as a glove
• as blind as a bat - as deaf as a post
• as cool as a cucumber - as warm as a toast
• as flat as a flounder - as round as a ball
• as blunt as a hammer - as harp as an awl
• as brittle as glass - as tough as gristle
• as neat as a pin - as clean as a whisle
• as red as a rose - as square as a box
• as live as a bird
• as obstinate as a mule

You may come across English similes in every day communication very often, for example when listening to the English songs. 

Find the attachment below to practise and study better this notion.