THE FLATMATES

Language point:
Comparative idioms
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The Flatmates – Comparative idioms (as … as ...)

You can see this language point online at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/flatmates/episode34/languagepoint.shtml

There are lots of idioms which use ‘as…as…’ as a key structure. For example, as dry
as a bone - ‘This piece of bread is as dry as a bone. I can’t eat it.’. As dry as a bone
means something is very dry

These idioms function as similes and they often carry an emphatic meaning

Idioms describing personality and behaviour:

As thick as two short planks - very stupid, not at all clever (an informal idiom).
Planks are flat pieces of wood, often used in house building

As stubborn as a mule - very stubborn, obstinate. A mule is an animal similar to a

donkey

As good as gold - very well behaved, often used to describe children

As timid as a mouse - very shy and quiet

Idioms describing physical characteristics:

As strong as a horse - very strong

As strong as an ox - very strong. An ox is a strong animal similar to a cow

As pretty as a picture - very pretty, very attractive

As blind as a bat – very poor eyesight, unable to see. A bat is an animal that flies
at night and does not use its eyes, it uses sound

As white as a sheet - very pale or white face, because you are unwell or very
scared. Sheets on beds are often white

As light as a feather - not heavy, very light in weight. Birds are covered in
feathers

Idioms describing the state of things:

As right as rain - in good and normal condition

As good as new - in very good condition

As safe as houses - very safe, very secure and certain

As sound as a bell - in very good physical condition, e.g. an engine. A bell has to
be in good condition in order to make a good ringing sound

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Vocabulary:
to get soaked:
to get very wet, often in heavy rain

as thick as two short planks:

not clever

as right as rain:
in normal condition

a mop:
similar to a broom but for cleaning a floor with water

to wind someone up (informal):

to tell someone something that's not true, as a joke

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