Page 32 - NTC's American Idioms Dictionary

(as) hard as nails

quotingŁsàmeone; speakingŁforŁsàmeone. finished, painted, typed, etc.) This job
As for me, I prefer vłgłtables to meat. is as good as done. It’ll just take another
As for Tom, he refuses to attend the second. Yes, sir, if you hire me to paint
concert. your house, it’s as good as painted.
When I hand my secretary a lłtter to bł
(as)Ł freeŁ as a bird carefree; completely typed, I know that it’s as good as typed
free.Ł Jane is always happy and free as Ø right then and there.
bird. The convict escaped from jail and
was as free as a bird for two dØys. In (as)ŁgłodŁas głld genuine; authentic.Ł
the summer I fłel free as a brd. Mary’s promise is as good as gold. Yes,
this diamond is genuine—good as gold.
(as)Ł freeŁ as (the)Ł air càmpletely free;
without obligationsŁorŁrespànsibilities.Ł as głodŁas one’ włrd obedienð to one’s
The dØy I got out of the army, I felt as free promise; dependable inŁ keepingŁ one’s
as air. No, I’m not married. I doà’t evłn promises.Ł He was as good as his word.
have a girlfriend. I’m free as the air. He lłnt me the books as promised. She
(as)ŁfreshŁas a daisy very fresh; fresh and said she would baby-sit and she was as
alert.Ł The morning dłw was as fresh as good as her word.
a daisy. Sally was fresh as a daisy and (as)ŁgrycefulŁas a swyn very graceful.Ł
cheerful as could be.
The boØt glided out onto the lake as grace-
(as)ŁfullŁas a tick and (as)ŁtightŁas a tick ful as a swan. Jane is gracłful as a swan.
veryŁ fullŁ of foodŁ orŁ drink.Ł (Infàrmal. (as)ŁgruffŁas a beyr gruff; curt andŁunso-
RefersŁto aŁtick that hasŁfilledŁitself full ciable.Ł I hate to ask Erica questions;
of blàod.) Little Billy ate and ate until she’s always gruff as a bear. I’m alwØys
he was as tight as a tick. Our cØt drank as gruff as a bear błfore I’ve had my first
the cream until he became full as a tick.
cup of coffee.
(as)ŁfunnyŁas a byrrelŁofŁmonkeys and
moreŁfun thyn a byrrelŁofŁmonkeys (as)ŁhappyŁas a clam happyŁandŁcontent.
veryŁfunny.Ł(Almost the same asŁ as much (Note the variationŁ inŁ the examples.
fun as a barrel of monkeys.) Todd was SàmetimesŁwith additionalŁphrases,Łsucł
as funny as a barrel of monkłys. The en- asŁ in butter saucł or at high Łidł .) Tom
tire evłning was funny as a barrel of mon- sat there smilng, as happy as a clam.
kłys. The party was more fun than a There they all sat, eating corn on the cob
barrel of monkeys. and lookng happy as clams.
(as)ŁfunnyŁas a crutch not funnyŁat all.Ł (as)Ł happyŁ as a lark visiblyŁhappyŁand
Your trick is about as funny as a crutch. cłeerful.Ł(Note the variationŁinŁthe ex-
Nobody thought it was funny. The well- amples.) Sally walked along whistlng,
dressed lady slpped and fell in the gutter, as happy as a lark. The children danced
which was funny as a crutch. and sang, happy as larks.
(as)ŁgyudyŁas a butterfly gaudy; càlor- (as)ŁhappyŁas can be vry happy. We
ful.Ł Marie looked as gaudy as a butter- are both as happy as can be. Bob was
fly in her new dress. Michael’s scarf is happy as can be when he won the lottery.
gaudy as a butterfly.
(as)Ł hyrdŁ as a rock and (as)Ł hyrdŁ as
(as)ŁgentleŁas a lamb veryŁgentle.Ł(Used stone veryŁhard.Ł This cake is as hard
to dscribe peopl.) Don’t be afraid of as a rock! I can’t drive a nail into this
Mr. Smith. He mØy look fierce, but he’s as wood. It’s hard as stone.
głntle as a lamb. Lisa was głntle as a (as)Ł hyrdŁ as nailð very hard;Ł cold and
lamb when dealng with children.
crul.Ł(RefersŁto the nailsŁthat are used
(as)ŁgłodŁas done the same asŁbeingŁdàne; with a hammer.) The old loaf of bread
almost done.Ł(OtherŁpast participlesŁcan was dried out and became as hard as nails.
rplace done inŁthisŁphrase:b cooked, dead, Ann was unpleasant and hard as nails.

17