'As X as Y' similes usually compare someone or something with some property of an item that is well-known to exhibit that property.
As white as a sheet
Meaning
to be very pale, usually because you are frightened or ill
Example
She was trembling all over and was as white as a sheet.
As quiet as a mouse
Meaning
to be very quiet
Example
She was as quiet as a mouse. I didn't even know she'd come in.
As good as gold
Meaning
Well-behaved and obedient.
if a child is as good as gold, they behave very well
Example
The children were as good as gold today
As old as the hills
Meaning
if something is as old as the hills, it has existed for a very long time
Example
Difficult relationships between parents and children are nothing new: the problem's as old as the hills.
Origin
The phrase derives from the Bible, Job 15 7. It was alluded to in Miles Coverdale's Bible, 1535:
Art thou the first man, that ever was borne? Or, wast thou made before the hylles?
As fit as a fiddle
Meaning
Very fit and well.
Origin
Of course the 'fiddle' here is the colloquial name for violin. 'Fit' didn't originally mean healthy and energetic, in the sense it is often used nowadays to describe the inhabitants of gyms. When this phrase was coined 'fit' was used to mean 'suitable, seemly', in the way we now might say 'fit for purpose'.
be as fit as a fiddle (British, American & Australian) also be as fit as a flea (British & Australian)
Example
My Dad's nearly eighty now but he's as fit as a fiddle.
As deaf as a post
be as deaf as a post (British, American & Australian informal) also be as deaf as a doorknob/doornail (Australian)
to be completely deaf
Example
She's 89 and as deaf as a post
As easy as pie
Meaning
Very easy.
Origin
How though, are pies thought to be easy? They aren't especially easy to make. The easiness comes with the eating. At least, that was the view in 19th century America, where this phrase was coined. There are various mid 19th century US citations that, whilst not using 'as easy as pie' verbatim, do point to 'pie' being used to denote pleasantry and ease. 'Pie' in this sense is archetypally American, as American as apple pie in fact. The usage first comes in the phrase 'as nice as pie', as found here in Which: Right or Left? in 1855:
"For nearly a week afterwards, the domestics observed significantly to each other, that Miss Isabella was as 'nice as pie!'"
Mark Twain frequently used just 'pie' to mean pleasant or accommodating: In The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1884,
"You're always as polite as pie to them."
Example
You make everything sound as easy as pie, George
As dry as a bone
Meaning
to be extremely dry
Example
I don't think he's been watering these plants - the soil's as dry as a bone
The winner of the ninth question is:
1.Marianthi Kavelidou (6)
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