Idioms and Expressions - Like

eat like a horse

Definition: usually eat a lot of food

Tom eats like a horse! Make sure to grill three hamburgers for him.
He doesn't usually eat like a horse.

eat like a bird

Definition: usually eat very little food

She eats like a bird, so don't make too much for dinner.
He weighs 250 pounds even though he eats like a bird.

feel like a million

Definition: feel very good and happy

I'm feeling like a million today. I just got a new job!
After his promotion, he felt like a million.

fit like a glove

Definition: clothes or apparel that fit perfectly

My new shoes fit like a glove.
Her jeans fit like a glove after she went on a diet.

go like clockwork

Definition: to happen very smoothly, without problems

The presentation went like clockwork.
Her plans went like clockwork and she was able to join the company.

know someone or something like the back of one's hand

Definition: know in every detail, understand completely

She knows me like the back of her hand.
I know this project like the back of my hand.

like a bat out of hell

Definition: very fast, quickly

He left the room like a bat out of hell.
They drove off like a bat out of hell.

like a bump on a log

Definition: not moving

Don't sit there like a bump on a log!
She sits around all day like a bump on a log.

like a fish out of water

Definition: completely out of place, not belonging at all

He looks like a fish out of water on the football field.
The boss felt like a fish out of water in San Francisco.

like a sitting duck

Definition: be very exposed to something

He felt like a sitting duck and moved to cover his position.
Your investments have left you like a sitting duck in this market.

out like a light

Definition: fall asleep quickly

He went out like a light.
I hit the pillow and was out like a light.

read someone like a book

Definition: understand the other person's motivation for doing something

She can read me like a book.
I know you don't mean that. I can read you like a book.

sell like hotcakes

Definition: sell very well, very quickly

The book sold like hotcakes.
The iPhone initially sold like hotcakes.

sleep like a log

Definition: sleep very deeply

I was tired and slept like a log.
She went home and slept like a log.

spread like wildfire

Definition: an idea that gets known very quickly

His solution to the problem spread like wildfire.
Her opinions spread like wildfire.

watch someone like a hawk

Definition: keep a very close eye on someone, watch very carefully

Don't make any mistakes because I'm watching you like a hawk.
She watches her son like a hawk whenever he goes outside to play.