英语修辞中有很多用“as...as”的句式表达的比喻和比拟,把一个抽象概念与一个具体人物或事物中的某一属性进行比较,突出其相同点或相似点,从而使抽象的概念形象化,使语言生动有趣,富于表现力。以下所提供的例子按照用于比喻的对象(喻体)分类,供参考。
一、以人(含职业)为喻体
as drunk as a lord 酩酊大醉,烂醉如泥(主人都酗酒?)
as grave/sober as a judge严如法官,非常严肃(法官的严肃是可以理解)
ashungry as a hunter 非常饥饿(像猎人一般,中文常用“饿狼”做比喻)
as old as Adam 极其古老(圣经故事中的亚当,够老了吧?!)
as rich as a Jew 非常有钱(像犹太人)
as thick as thieves亲密无间,非常亲密(像贼搭档一样,chummy, buddy-buddy)
as wise as Solomon 非常聪慧,聪明绝顶(像所罗门)
二、以动物为喻体
as bald as a coot头发脱光的(像黑鹅一样秃)
as blind as a bat 有眼无珠(像蝙蝠一样瞎)
as blind as an owl 瞎透了(猫头鹰在晚上视力很好,白天很弱)
as black as a raven 像乌鸦一般黑
as bold〔brave〕as a lion 非常勇猛(如狮子一般)
as busy as a bee忙极了(像蜜蜂一样忙碌)
as faithfulas a dog 像狗一样忠诚
as gentle as a lamb 温顺如羊
as happy〔cheerful,gay〕as a lark 非常欢乐(像百灵鸟)
as mad as a wet hen非常生气(像弄湿的母鸡一样生气)
as mild as a dove 非常温和(像鸽子一样温和)
as poor as a church mouse赤贫的(像教堂的老鼠一样穷)
as proud as a peacock 极骄傲(骄傲得像只孔雀)
as quiet as a mouse极为安静(像老鼠一般)
as sly as a fox像狐狸一样狡猾,老奸巨滑
as strong as a horse健壮如牛(英语不说牛哟)
as stupid asan ass 蠢极了(像驴一样)
as tame as a chicken 非常听话(像小鸡一样驯服)
as timid as a hare胆小如鼠(像野兔)
三、以植物为喻体
asbeautiful as a flower 貌美如花(中西所见略同!)
as cool as a cucumber泰然自若,极其镇静(冷静如黄瓜?)
as fair as a lily 美如百合
as green as grass 幼稚无知(绿色常表示“稚嫩、没有经验”,如green hand新手)
as like as two peas一模一样(像两个豌豆)
as welcome as the rose in May 很受欢迎(五月的玫瑰)
四、以自然现象为喻体
as black asnight 昏黑,漆黑(像夜晚漆黑一片)
as black as a thunder面带怒容,脸色阴森(想想打雷那架势)
as clear as day一清二楚,显而易见,极其明白(像白天一样清楚)
as cold as ice 冰冷
as quick as a flash 快如闪电
as right as rain 十分正确(如下雨般确定,挡也挡不住)
as white as snow 洁白如雪
五、以事物或物件为喻体
as bold as brass 厚颜无耻(像黄铜一样厚脸皮的)
as cheap as dirt 贱如泥土
as clear as a bell健全的(像铃铛一样健全)
as clear as a bell=very easy tohear and understand (像铃铛)清楚而容易听到的
as clear as crystals 一清二楚,清如水晶
as dull as lead非常愚钝(把铅条放地上,想翻转一下都不容易啊)
as easy as a pie极容易(像馅饼一样容易)
as firm(steady)as a rock安如磐石,坚定不移(岩石、磐石,够稳定了吧?)
as fussy as a hen with one chick在小事上瞎操心(像母鸡对一只小鸡)
as hard as iron 坚如铁石
as hard as nether millstone 铁石心肠(硬如磨石)
as heavy as lead沉重如铅(铅是何等“沉重”啊)
as plain as the nose in yourface 一清二楚(像你脸上的鼻子一样清楚)
as thin as a lath 骨瘦如柴(像木板,木条)
as thin as a wafer 极薄(像薄脆饼一样薄)
as true as steel绝对可靠(像钢一样可靠)
当然,还有更多的例子,本文无法一一罗列。需要强调的是,语言是鲜活的,除了一些约定成俗的搭配之外,只要喻体的特性是被广泛认同的,或是在特定情况下交谈双方看法一致的,适度的创造亦可增添语趣,例如,aslong as the Great Wall,究竟有多长?你懂的。