Idioms describing personality and behaviour:
As thick as two short planks - very stupid, not at all clever (an informal idiom). Planks are flat pieces of wood, often used in house building
As stubborn as a mule - very stubborn, obstinate. A mule is an animal similar to a donkey
As good as gold - very well behaved, often used to describe children
As timid as a mouse - very shy and quiet
Idioms describing physical characteristics:
As strong as a horse - very strong
As strong as an ox - very strong. An ox is a strong animal similar to a cow
As pretty as a picture - very pretty, very attractive
As blind as a bat - very poor eyesight, unable to see. A bat is an animal that flies at night and does not use its eyes, it uses sound
As white as a sheet - very pale or white face, because you are unwell or very scared. Sheets on beds are often white
As light as a feather - not heavy, very light in weight. Birds are covered in feathers
Idioms describing the state of things:
As right as rain - in good and normal condition
As good as new - in very good condition
As safe as houses - very safe, very secure and certain
As sound as a bell - in very good physical condition, e.g. an engine. A bell has to be in good condition in order to make a good ringing sound
Vocabulary:
to get soaked:
to get very wet, often in heavy rain
as thick as two short planks:
not clever
as right as rain:
in normal condition
a mop:
similar to a broom but for cleaning a floor with water
to wind someone up (informal):
to tell someone something that's not true, as a joke