Idioms and Expressions - 'As ... As'

The following idioms and expressions use the construction 'as ... as'. Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with these two quizzes (Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 1 and Common Idiomatic Phrases Quiz 2) to see if you've mastered these common idioms yet.

Common 'As ... As' Idioms

Each idiom or expression in this list has a definition and two example sentences to help the comprehension of these common idiomatic expressions with 'as ... as'.

As Bad as All That

Definition: As bad something appears to be

It isn't as bad as all that. You'll be fine tomorrow.
Losing the game isn't as bad as all that.

As Big as Life

Definition: An exaggerated way to state that someone appeared in a particular place.

There I saw him as big as life!
John came in the room and stood there as big as life.

As Black as Pitch

Definition: Very dark

I couldn't see a thing in the room because it was as black as pitch.
I can't see a thing. It's as black as pitch. Get a flashlight.

As Blind as a Bat

Definition: Very bad eyesight

He's as blind as a bat. You can believe what he says.
That ball was in! You're as blind as a bat!

As Busy as a Beaver / As Busy as a Bee

Definition: Very busy

I was as busy as a bee over the weekend. I got a lot done.
He's always as busy as a beaver. I wonder if he ever takes a break.

As Clean as a Whistle

Definition: Very clean

That car is as clean as a whistle now that you've washed it.
I like to keep my desk as clean as a whistle.

As Clear as Crystal

Definition: Very clear and understandable

Let me be as clear as crystal. Hurry up!
She was as clear as crystal about her intentions.

As Cool as a Cucumber

Definition: Calm and not nervous

You have to remain as cool as a cucumber to be successful.
I stayed as cool as a cucumber as finished the exercise.

As Crazy as a Loon

Definition: Very crazy

She's as crazy as a loon. You can't believe a word she says.
I wouldn't worry about his opinion, he's as crazy as a loon.

As Dead as a Doornail

Definition: dead

That's as dead as a doornail. Forget about it.
The project is as dead as a doornail.

As Easy as Pie

Definition: Very easy

You'll find the exercise is as easy as pie.
This game is as easy as pie.

As Far as Possible

Definition: As much as possible

I'll see what I can do as far as possible.
She went as far as possible in trying to get the project approved.

As Flat as a Pancake

Definition: Very flat

Kansas is as flat as a pancake.
Make sure the table is as a flat as a pancake.

As Free as a Bird

Definition: Feeling very free and care easy

Our children are away for the weekend so we're as free as a bird.
I used to feel as free as a bird when I was younger.

As Good as Done

Definition: Almost done

The job is as good as done.
We're almost ready to begin. The cake is as good as done.

As Happy as a Clam

Definition: Very happy and content

I'm as happy as a clam living in Portland.
She seemed as happy as a clam yesterday.

As Hard as Nails

Definition: Cruel and very hard

He's as hard as nails with his staff.
Don't work for her. She's as hard as nails.

As Hungry as a Bear

Definition: Very hungry

Do you have a sandwich? I'm as hungry as a bear.
When we arrived I was as hungry as a bear.

As Innocent as a Lamb

Definition: Without guilt

There's no way she could have done that. She's as innocent as a lamb.
He's only pretending to be as innocent as a lamb.

As Mad as a Hatter

Definition: Crazy

Don't believe anything he says. He's as mad as a hatter.
They threw him out of court because he was as mad as a hatter.

As Old as the Hills

Definition: Very old

My aunt is as old as the hills.
That car is as old as the hills.

As Plain as Day

Definition: Simple, clear

The facts are as plain as day.
What you need to do is as plain as day.

As Pleased as Punch

Definition: Very happy with something

He's as pleased as punch with the new boss.
She's as pleased as punch with her new car.

As Quiet as a Mouse

Definition: Very quiet, shy

She sat in the corner and was as quiet as a mouse at the party.
Can you believe that he was as quiet as a mouse when he was a boy?

As Right as Rain

Definition: Genuine and true

Yes, that's as a right as rain!
She feels his views are as right as rain.

As Sick as a Dog

Definition: Very sick

My brother is at home as sick as a dog.
I'm feeling as sick as a dog. I think I need to go home.

As Sly as a Fox

Definition: Smart and clever

She understood the situation and used it to her advantage because she's as sly as a fox.
Don't trust him because he's as sly as a fox.

As Soon as Possible

Definition: At the earliest moment possible

Could you reply to my request as soon as possible.
I'll get back to you as soon as possible with the information.

Quiz Testing

Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with quiz testing idioms and expressions with 'as ... as'. You might also be interested in looking at forty common English idioms and expressions.