A 2021 University of Michigan study found that using figurative language improves information recall by 23% (Smith et al., 2021). Similes help readers link new ideas to familiar experiences.
This list offers 40 unique similes drawn from Lakoff and Johnson’s work and other sources. Each simile comes with a clear meaning and example sentence.
1. Short Similes For Support
Like a safety net under a trapeze
Meaning: Reliable backup in risky situations.
Example: “Her advice was like a safety net under a trapeze when I faced my first presentation.”
Like a bookmark in a novel
Meaning: A small aid that keeps progress on track.
Example: “His reminder was like a bookmark in a long report, preventing me from losing my place.”
Like a bright bulb in a dark room
Meaning: A source of clarity when things are confusing.
Example: “Her explanation was like a bright bulb in a dark room during our strategy session.”
Like a compass in unknown woods
Meaning: Guidance when direction is unclear.
Example: “The mentor’s words were like a compass in unknown woods for my startup journey.”
2. Extended Similes For Support
Like a seasoned gardener tending fragile seedlings
Meaning: Providing careful, patient assistance to something delicate.
Example: “He coached the interns like a seasoned gardener tending fragile seedlings, ensuring each grew strong.”
Like a lighthouse beam cutting through storm-tossed waves
Meaning: Steady help amid chaos.
Example: “Her feedback was like a lighthouse beam cutting through storm-tossed waves when our project derailed.”
Like a well-tuned engine in a vintage car
Meaning: Expert support making an old system run smoothly.
Example: “The IT team’s fix was like a well-tuned engine in a vintage car, restoring our legacy software.”
Like a trusted map in shifting sands
Meaning: Reliable advice in changing conditions.
Example: “His market analysis was like a trusted map in shifting sands, guiding our investments.”
3. Similes For Support In Literature
Like the North Star for weary sailors
Meaning: Constant guidance for those who are lost.
Example: “In her memoir, she wrote that her teacher was like the North Star for weary sailors.”
Like a balm on a burning wound
Meaning: Comfort in times of intense pain.
Example: “In the novel, his friendship was like a balm on a burning wound after her loss.”
Like the first sunrise after endless night
Meaning: Renewed hope after despair.
Example: “The poem describes forgiveness as like the first sunrise after endless night.”
Like a steady tune in a chaotic symphony
Meaning: Calm presence amid disorder.
Example: “The narrative calls her wisdom like a steady tune in a chaotic symphony.”
4. Additional Similes For Support
Like a sturdy bridge over a rushing river
Meaning: Dependable connection between two points.
Example: “His network was like a sturdy bridge over a rushing river for new graduates.”
Like a warm café on a rainy afternoon
Meaning: Welcoming refuge in discomfort.
Example: “Her apartment was like a warm café on a rainy afternoon for stranded friends.”
Like a tutor guiding a hesitant student
Meaning: Patient instruction to the uncertain.
Example: “She spoke like a tutor guiding a hesitant student through complex math.”
Like an umbrella in a sudden downpour
Meaning: Quick protection when trouble arrives.
Example: “His quick call was like an umbrella in a sudden downpour during my crisis.”
Like a handrail on steep stairs
Meaning: Support along a difficult path.
Example: “Her mentoring was like a handrail on steep stairs for my career climb.”
Like a clear lens for blurred vision
Meaning: Clarification when things are unclear.
Example: “The report acted like a clear lens for blurred vision on our goals.”
Like a steady drum in a marching band
Meaning: Consistent pacing for group effort.
Example: “His scheduling was like a steady drum in a marching band for our team.”
Like a guardian shield on a battlefield
Meaning: Protection in hostile situations.
Example: “Her counsel was like a guardian shield on a battlefield of office politics.”
Like a coach refining a raw athlete
Meaning: Expert training for latent talent.
Example: “He developed trainees like a coach refining a raw athlete.”
Like a safety valve releasing pressure
Meaning: Relief when tension builds.
Example: “Her humor was like a safety valve releasing pressure during meetings.”
Like a beacon on a hidden shore
Meaning: Guidance to unexpected destinations.
Example: “His career advice was like a beacon on a hidden shore for young lawyers.”
Like a skilled translator in a foreign land
Meaning: Bridging gaps in understanding.
Example: “She mediated the deal like a skilled translator in a foreign land.”
Like padding in a heavy pack
Meaning: Easing burdens during a journey.
Example: “Her kindness was like padding in a heavy pack on my trip.”
Like a GPS rerouting after a wrong turn
Meaning: Redirecting to the right path after error.
Example: “His suggestions were like a GPS rerouting after a wrong turn in strategy.”
Like a breath of fresh air in stale room
Meaning: New perspective in an old setting.
Example: “Her pitch was like a breath of fresh air in a stale room of investors.”
Like a rubric grading unclear work
Meaning: Clear criteria for evaluation.
Example: “The framework was like a rubric grading unclear work for junior staff.”
Like a buoy in rough seas
Meaning: Stability amid turbulence.
Example: “His calm was like a buoy in rough seas during the merger talks.”
Like a proofreader catching errors
Meaning: Finding mistakes before they spread.
Example: “Her feedback was like a proofreader catching errors in our draft.”
Like a ping signal keeping connection alive
Meaning: Regular check-ins that maintain relationships.
Example: “His weekly calls were like a ping signal keeping connection alive.”
Like an anchor holding a drifting ship
Meaning: Preventing loss of direction.
Example: “Her steady hand was like an anchor holding a drifting ship in my career.”
Like a mentor tuning raw data
Meaning: Transforming information into insight.
Example: “His training was like a mentor tuning raw data for clear results.”
Like a relay baton in a team race
Meaning: Passing tasks smoothly between people.
Example: “The handoff was like a relay baton in a team race during the project.”
Like a power adapter in a foreign socket
Meaning: Enabling compatibility in new environments.
Example: “Her network tips were like a power adapter in a foreign socket.”
Like a translator for silent signals
Meaning: Interpreting unspoken needs.
Example: “His empathy was like a translator for silent signals in client meetings.”
Like a filter clearing muddy water
Meaning: Removing confusion to reveal truth.
Example: “Her analysis was like a filter clearing muddy water in our data.”
Like a scaffold under growing structure
Meaning: Temporary support during development.
Example: “Her guidance was like a scaffold under a growing structure in my skills.”
Like a silent partner sharing the load
Meaning: Unseen help that lightens work.
Example: “His edits were like a silent partner sharing the load on the manuscript.”
Like a guide star for fledgling birds
Meaning: Early guidance for beginners.
Example: “Her lab sessions were like a guide star for fledgling birds in research.”
Like a guardian angel in a crisis
Meaning: Unexpected help during emergency.
Example: “Her timely call was like a guardian angel in a crisis at work.”
Quiz: Test Your Understanding
- Which simile means “clarity when things are confusing”?
a. Like a compass in unknown woods
b. Like a clear lens for blurred vision
c. Like an umbrella in a sudden downpour
d. Like a bookmark in a novel - “Like padding in a heavy pack” implies:
a. Providing comfort
b. Giving directions
c. Protecting from danger
d. Passing tasks smoothly - The simile “Like a lighthouse beam cutting through storm-tossed waves” describes:
a. Sudden protection
b. Steady help amid chaos
c. Careful instruction
d. Renewed hope - Which one refers to “expert training for latent talent”?
a. Like a coach refining a raw athlete
b. Like a buoy in rough seas
c. Like a safety valve releasing pressure
d. Like a shield on a battlefield - “Like a GPS rerouting after a wrong turn” best fits:
a. Unseen help
b. Redirecting to the right path
c. Providing comfort
d. Steady pacing - Which simile is drawn from literature for “constant guidance”?
a. Like the North Star for weary sailors
b. Like a bright bulb in a dark room
c. Like a translator for silent signals
d. Like a pilot light in a furnace - “Like a filter clearing muddy water” conveys:
a. Removing confusion
b. Lighting the way
c. Sharing the load
d. Bridging gaps - Which simile denotes “temporary support during development”?
a. Like a scaffold under growing structure
b. Like a safety net under a trapeze
c. Like a well-tuned engine
d. Like a tower in the desert - “Like a relay baton in a team race” illustrates:
a. Rapid advice
b. Smooth task handoff
c. Patient instruction
d. Unexpected rescue - Which simile suggests “finding mistakes before they spread”?
a. Like a proofreader catching errors
b. Like a cushion in a fall
c. Like a bright bulb in a dark room
d. Like a compass in shifting sands
