English Idioms and Expressions Using As...As

English Idioms and Expressions Using As...As The following idioms and expressions use the construction as ... as. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help the  comprehension of these common idiomatic expressions with 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 youve mastered these common idioms yet. as bad as all that Definition: As bad something appears to be It isnt as bad as all that. Youll be fine tomorrow.Losing the game isnt 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 couldnt see a thing in the room because it was as black as pitch.I cant see a thing. Its as black as pitch. Get a flashlight. as blind as a bat Definition: Very bad eyesight Hes as blind as a bat. You can believe what he says.That ball was in! Youre 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.Hes 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 youve 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 Shes as crazy as a loon. You cant believe a word she says.I wouldnt worry about his opinion, hes as crazy as a loon. as dead as a doornail Definition: dead Thats as dead as a doornail. Forget about it.The project is as dead as a doornail. as easy as pie Definition: Very easy Youll find the exercise is as easy as pie.This game is as easy as pie. as far as possible Definition: As much as possible Ill 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 were 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.Were almost ready to begin. The cake is as good as done. as happy as a clam Definition: Very happy and content Im 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 Hes as hard as nails with his staff.Dont work for her. Shes as hard as nails. as hungry as a bear Definition: Very hungry Do you have a sandwich? Im as hungry as a bear.When we arrived I was as hungry as a bear. as innocent as a lamb Definition: Without guilt Theres no way she could have done that. Shes as innocent as a lamb.Hes only pretending to be as innocent as a lamb. as mad as a hatter Definition: Crazy Dont believe anything he says. Hes 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 Hes as pleased as punch with the new boss.Shes 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, thats 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.Im 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 shes as sly as a fox.Dont trust him because hes 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.Ill get back to you as soon as possible with the information. 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.