'Like' Used in Idioms and Expressions

The following English idioms and expressions use the word 'like.' Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help ​your understanding of these common idiomatic expressions with 'like.'

Eat like a horse

Definition: usually eat a lot of food

• Tom eats like a horse! Make sure to grill three hamburgers for him.
• He doesn't usually eat like a horse.

Eat like a bird

Definition: usually eat very little food

• She eats like a bird, so don't make too much for dinner.
• He weighs 250 pounds even though he eats like a bird.

Feel like a million

Definition: feel very good and happy

• I'm feeling like a million today. I just got a new job!
• After his promotion, he felt like a million.

Fit like a glove

Definition: clothes or apparel that fit perfectly

• My new shoes fit like a glove.
• Her jeans fit like a glove after she went on a diet.

Go like clockwork

Definition: to happen very smoothly, without problems

• The presentation went like clockwork.
• Her plans went like clockwork and she was able to join the company.

Know someone or something like the back of one's hand

Definition: know in every detail, understand completely

• She knows me like the back of her hand.
• I know this project like the back of my hand.

Like a bat out of hell

Definition: very fast, quickly

• He left the room like a bat out of hell.
• They drove off like a bat out of hell.

Like a bump on a log

Definition: not moving

• Don't sit there like a bump on a log!
• She sits around all day like a bump on a log.

Like a fish out of water

Definition: completely out of place, not belonging at all

• He looks like a fish out of water on the football field.
• The boss felt like a fish out of water in San Francisco.

Like a sitting duck

Definition: be very exposed to something

• He felt like a sitting duck and moved to cover his position.
• Your investments have left you like a sitting duck in this market.

Out like a light

Definition: fall asleep quickly

• He went out like a light.
• I hit the pillow and was out like a light.

Read someone like a book

Definition: understand the other person's motivation for doing something

• She can read me like a book.
• I know you don't mean that. I can read you like a book.

Sell like hotcakes

Definition: sell very well, very quickly

• The book sold like hotcakes.
• The iPhone initially sold like hotcakes.

Sleep like a log

Definition: sleep very deeply

• I was tired and slept like a log.
• She went home and slept like a log.

Spread like wildfire

Definition: an idea that gets known very quickly

• His solution to the problem spread like wildfire.
• Her opinions spread like wildfire.

Watch someone like a hawk

Definition: keep a very close eye on someone, watch very carefully

• Don't make any mistakes because I'm watching you like a hawk.
• She watches her son like a hawk whenever he goes outside to play.