A simile is a figure of speech that says that one thing is like another
different thing. We can use similes to make descriptions more emphatic or
vivid.
We often use the words as...as and like with similes.
//figure of speech 比喩(的表現)、言葉{ことば}のあや
//emphatic /im-'fa-tik/ :uttered with or marked by emphasis
Common patterns for similes, with example sentences, are:
** something [is*] AS adjective AS something
His skin was as cold as ice.
It felt as hard as rock.
She looked as gentle as a lamb.
//lamb : a young sheep
//as gentle as a lamb 小羊のようにおとなしい、とても[極めて・非常に]おとなしい[従順な]
//as innocent as a lamb 〔小羊{こひつじ}のように〕純真無垢{じゅんしん むく}な、無邪気{むじゃき}な
comparing A to B AをBに例える
garbage
emotional condition
quality of character
** something [is*] LIKE something
My love is like a red, red rose.
These cookies taste like garbage.
He had a temper (that was) like a volcano.
** something [does**] LIKE something
He eats like a pig.
//the way he eats
He smokes like a chimney.
They fought like cats and dogs.
// like cats and dogs 仲が悪い、犬猿{けんえん}の仲
human ユーマン
* stative verb: be, feel, smell, taste etc
** action verb
Here are some more examples of well known similes:
[is] AS adjective AS something---- meaning
as blind as a bat---- completely blind
supersonic
as cold as ice---- very cold a usually rounded natural elevation of land lower
than a mountain
as flat as a pancake---- completely flat
as gentle as a lamb---- very gentle
as light as a feather---- very light
as old as the hills----very old
as sharp as a knife---- very sharp
as strong as a bull----very strong
as white as snow---- pure white
as wise as an owl---- very wise
[is] LIKE something possible meaning (depending on context)
like a rose beautiful
like a volcano explosive
like garbage disgusting
like an animal inhuman
like spaghetti entangled
like dewdrops sweet and pure
like golddust precious
like a tip very untidy (tip = garbage dump)
like a dream wonderful, incredible
like stars bright and beautiful
does] LIKE something meaning
to drink like a fish to drink a lot
to eat like a bird to eat very little
to eat like a horse to eat a lot
to eat like a pig to eat impolitely
to fight like cats and dogs to fight fiercely
to sing like an angel to sing beautifully
to sleep like a log to sleep well and soundly
to smoke like a chimney to smoke heavily, all the time
to soar like an eagle to fly high and free
to work like a dog to work very hard