Using SIMILES to improve your everyday English

Do you know what a 'simile' is? Do you know the difference between a metaphor and a simile? Similes are expressions that compare two different things. We use these expressions to make our spoken and written English sound clearer, nicer, and more poetic at the same time. Native speakers use similes often. Most of the time you will be able to understand the meaning from the context, but it is good to know some common similes so that you can start using them yourself! In today's lesson, I'll teach you the difference between a simile and a metaphor, and go over some examples of similes I hear in everyday life in the UK. Similes are a fun part of the English language, so join me for this lesson and test your understanding of these expressions with the quiz!
www.engvid.com/...
TRANSCRIPT
Hi. I'm Gill at engVid, and the lesson we're having today is about similes. And just to explain what a simile is: It's when you compare two different things. Okay? Now, there's another lesson that we have about metaphors and at the beginning of that one, we explain the difference between metaphors and similes. So I'm going to do the same again with this lesson.
So, the simile is when you say A is like B-okay?-or A is as big as B or as small as B, so it's comparing using "like" or "as". Whereas the metaphor is when you say A is B. If you say: "He is a pig", it's not literally true, but he behaves like a pig. But: "He is a pig" is a metaphor. If you say: "He is like a pig", that's a simile because you're using the word "like" and comparing him with a pig. Okay.
So, let's just have a look at a few examples. Also, because similes use either "like" or "as", we're going to look at some examples using "like" to begin with, and then we'll move on to look at a few "as" examples. So these are all examples that you would hear in everyday life that people tend to use, so they're quite familiar ones.
Okay, so first one: "She eats like a pig." Which isn't a very nice thing to say about someone, but if she's quite... Makes a mess and a lot of noise, you know what a pig eats like, she eats like a pig. So it's not a very nice thing to say about someone, but it's comparing "she", a woman or a girl, comparing her to the way a pig eats. "She eats like a pig." So that's a simile.
So, a similar example to that is: "He drinks like a fish." This usually means alcohol. Not just water, but it's usually alcohol; beer, wine, whisky, anything. "He drinks like a fish." Again, it's not a nice thing to say about somebody, but it can sometimes be true, so... Of course, fish, I don't know if fish actually drink water, but because they live under water, they're immersed in water; water is all around them. So that's the idea, this man who drinks is surrounded by liquid. It's that sort of idea. "He drinks like a fish."
Okay, next example is using... We've got animals, and fish, and another animal now: "I've been working like a dog." And that means working really hard. Okay. Working like a dog. You may know a Beatle song called "A Hard Day's Night", and that is part of the lyrics of that song. Okay. "I've been working like a dog." Which is actually true at the moment, but I've been quite enjoying it, so that's all right. Okay.
Maybe if you're talking about two children, a brother and a sister, for example, who are always fighting-this often happens, I think-you can say: "They are fighting like cat and dog." Because cats and dogs don't always... They're not always very friendly with each other. So traditionally, cats and dogs perhaps fight. So: "They are fighting like cat and dog." Okay. So all of these, it's "like", comparing. Okay? So two children, human children compared to a cat and a dog because they're fighting. Okay?
Coming back to a little bit like eating, drinking: Smoking is another thing that people do, which isn't a very healthy thing to do. So if you say to someone: "You smoke like a chimney." Cigarettes, cigars, a pipe, maybe, any tobacco. And a chimney is what you get on a house, the smoke comes out of the chimney. There's the roof of the house, the smoke comes out of the chimney if you have a fire in the house. So if you say to your friend: "You smoke like a chimney." it's not a very nice thing to say, but maybe you will persuade them to stop smoking, because it's very bad for your health. Okay. So, that's a very common expression anyway.
And then finally in this section, you can say... If you're waiting for something and you're waiting a really long time, you can say: "It's like watching paint dry." If you've been painting a wall or a door with a paint and a brush, when you've painted something, it takes a few hours for the paint to dry. So if you're waiting for something to happen, and you're waiting, and you'd rather like it to happen quite quickly, but you've been waiting 10 minutes and it's still not happening, you can say: "It's like watching paint dry."

[@bryanjconlon]

Such a tragedy that Gill wasn't my English teacher - 55 years ago😢 She is like a superstar and she sings like an angel😜

[@rakheemaam]

So happy to come across a senior teacher who is both knowledgeable and energetic....would really be delighted to have your videos for my virtual lessons. Thanks Ma'am GIll!

[@fabiomn1965]

Thank you for your time! I really appreciate your lessons! Keep up the awesome job! from a Brazilian fan.

[@zephrinekanga4554]

A great teacher, very clear and passionate. encouraging to keep on watching. a very useful topic. Bravo.

[@youenn2180]

Chère Madame,you are the best english teacher I ever had ...

[@musictrance7013]

wonderful lessons as always thanks gill Keep going .I 've fallen head over heels with your beautiful accent.

[@denisepimenta5718]

A Great Teacher!!! I am so glad because every day I learn more about English 😃 Thank very much !!!

[@РинатЛев]

Your explanations are as clear as crystal. Singing made me feel nice, it is so well done. Thanks for all lessons💯💯💯👍👍👍🔥🔥🔥

[@principlerai66]

I am also Nepali English teacher. I have founded an institute where British and American English is taught. I tend to be a prominent English teacher in the world. This video has been useful for me. I regard the teacher is teaching in this video.

[@andersonrossi1981]

Lovely English class. Thank you.

[@MsRoma34]

I just love the way you teach. Thanks

[@mehrooismailvibes5919]

In this vidio u have said that your explanation is like mud but your explanation is as clear as water and i really loved your voice keep making informative vidios ♥️your way of teaching .....

[@mehrooismailvibes5919]

😘amazing teacher ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[@aseenaismail7689]

Your explanation is as clear as pearls

[@beppedm7290]

Your explanations are as clear as the blue sky 😊

[@tonibaena7046]

Dear Gill you are the most efficent teacher..

[@bananahaker0074]

Thank you very much! Your explanation is very, very good. I am beginner and I understand well.

[@kentomatsuo534]

I love the she took glasses off, and then she has shown her humorous action, 'oh you are still here, which sounds she may talk to the one who is behind the screen. Lovely! '

[@sandipmahanty6846]

Excellent way of explaining, simple with examples.

[@andredalossi6845]

Excellent teacher!!

[@valijavizuma6141]

I'm fully agree with you

[@enedardanidicikaj4517]

You are a good teacher! You helping me too much to learn english language. Thank you

[@Rasutharsini]

Thanks for your lesson...!

[@jamiilaqurux9824]

Thks I like your Teacher to English you explain good 😊

[@adeytechane7184]

Thank so much you are such amazing teacher

[@wasefashrafTheranger]

thanks...you are fantastic....wonderful....great teacher

[@shilpamacwan2267]

I love to learn with you, an excellent teacher !!

[@NuwandindaBruce]

Gill ure such a mazing teacher.

[@wirthbrothers7807]

YOUR EXPLANATION IS CLEAR AS🥽

[@TheOneWithNoFNnick]

These explanations are as clear as glass. (Even though you got me for a second with the Dracula reference ;))

[@cesul10]

Omg I love my new English teacher

[@nancymwanginancymwangi8656]

l liked how you explained and taught us thank you teacher l am littlle Rose 8years old you are the best teacher .

[@nancymwanginancymwangi8656]

Teacher you awsome to teach l am Grace i am turning ten years tomorrow thank you teacher may the lord bless you.

[@waynestrachan7605]

I love her teaching

[@wilberthchaconalfaro7690]

You are great... one of my favorite teachers... thank you

[@alexmaged9077]

This video is really useful

[@tassadittoumert6326]

Very good English teacher

[@johncook7281]

Clear as mud. Good but long known. Still a favorite.

[@mohsenmarzouq2934]

thank you very much Iknow alot from you .you are agood teacher

[@elhadik6851]

thank you so much gill : ) you're the best

[@ghitalah3218]

You're very kind thank you

[@Jed934]

Very helpful thanks you!!,

[@pt5244]

Gill, can you please do videos on vocabularies like sentimental, simulation, intuition, ... PLease :)

[@jonstractus8450]

Thank you!

[@sunnynguyen6101]

Rewarding lesson and lovely singing! ^^. Thank you so much for this!

[@sandrodonadoni8397]

Lovely an useful , thank a lot!

[@johncook7281]

Is this is a current post and channel or is this something like 5 years old. I've seen one or two other videos with her. She's very likeable.

[@roberta9833]

Beautiful lesson 💞🙏🥰

[@siriratchaisati5501]

Brilliant Gill!

[@toffi3724]

Thank u very much

[@МихаилИванов-н8р]

Bravo Gill!

[@maximillionpapandrious7494]

Love you Teacher :)

[@shraddhacreativity9302]

Grandma you are a great

[@ingridromeroJMD]

Lovely lesson! Great teacher

[@admfinancas3964]

It's beautiful! thank you very much

[@LovindarkAngel]

Lovely teacher

[@uzmaadil3452]

I got A* after watching this video great for English exam

[@nilangi2998]

The letters that repeat again in poem or anything is called alliteration

[@linacardenas7918]

That was very good Gill. I have a question, in the line "That explanation is as clear as mud", could it be an irony too?

[@dollykhan2206]

Love it

[@osbernable]

Hi, Gill, what does it mean by "drown my voice" in your video? I am trying to take it as our voice would be much louder than your voice if we joined in singing the song with you. So we would drown your voice to make your voice almost unheard. It seems to be familar with "to drown my sorrows", right?

[@engvidGill]

Thanks Osbern -- yes, to drown someone's voice (or drown out someone's voice) is to be louder, so that you can't hear their voice :-)

[@sharmkeahmed2584]

@@engvidGill I have been watching your lessons for centuries, and am proud to be one of my memorial teachers

[@sharmkeahmed2584]

I could be so excited if you contact me

[@gilkalopes]

Great!

[@khalidelmakkaoui7637]

Good explination

[@dipakbarhate7577]

Amazing smiles

[@slashorysk]

twinkle twinkle little star how I wonder what you are up above the world so high like a diamond in the sky

[@bearules8014]

your video is good☺

[@MariaDaSilva-bx6vw]

I like it

[@alfonsocano106]

a smile is similar to.

[@eddieantoniomessindamico2596]

We also have " you smoke like a chainsaw" That's what I used to ear when I was in the U.S.A. Real and useful lesson Thank you.

[@joyrana6701]

you are charming gill

[@lillicanthink]

Jill, your explanation is as clear as crystal. Thank you so much! I love your lessons! BTW, you have a beautiful singing voice!

[@LearnEnglishWithShimul]

Very effective class. as a KZbinr I wish your all success.

[@dipakbarhate7577]

👌👌

[@chantellejohnson8016]

Good Job.

[@jamiilaqurux9824]

I can’t understand India English sorry

[@Deus.Grande]

WHO THE FUCK GIVES DISLIKES! Seriously,I've never seen anyone who would dislike video,even if it's bad.Google must ban such people who gives too much dislikes!

[@derik2nicolai584]

There are bad people who have bad manner, they open a video and make dislike without thinking, then go to other one and do the same thing. Those people normally sick in their minds. If you look on a video great musician or orchestra you will see the same bad habit.

[@parodycinema360]

Deus Grande right. Bro I m also with u

[@Eggstraw_]

Yup hater are always jealous

[@caglarsakin]

She is funny, energetic, very experienced teacher. I love her style. Thanks gill.

[@ajb5114]

Use a capital letter when you write someone's name, dummy. "Gill"

[@najatalhabshi4267]

Bless you Gill, you're SUCH a star! xx

[@shenzhao1154]

how sweet teacher she is!

[@everarita4521]

Yea

[@everarita4521]

Yea

[@kaysokla1421]

I wish she was my teacher 👩🏼‍🏫

[@wirthbrothers7807]

#BESTTEACHER ME TOOO

[@jerseyjacket100]

I misread the title and saw, "smiles". Great video.

[@trangcao2728]

+jerseyjacket100 so do I haha

[@renataleandro2761]

+jerseyjacket100 Me too! LOL

[@gwadamomo]

ah ah me too I was wandering what's the point of this video o.O

[@abdirisakali2989]

gwadamomo if you can speak English is not for you if you don't like please don't watched and comment like that

[@karlayork877]

Mr Every Thing, you misunderstand. Gwadamomo was referring to her own misreading of the title as "smiles". She was not complaining about the video. Your comment is the only one out of place.

[@aquamarineinspringtime4502]

Oh my god ... I effortlessly sing along with her & enjoy the moment💙🎶

[@wendyspena4439]

Very precious your teachings, for me you're the best English teacher on the web!!

[@susannaspanio3198]

I'm an italian student. You are a super teacher. I love your lessons, that are clear and helpful

[@santiagomarcosfull]

amazing lesson! Great Gill, thanks so much!

[@gercinaable]

All your explanations are clear. I understand perfectly.....

[@paulomarcos1863]

incredible video! this is amazing the way you speak and explain the lessons! i'm very happy about it. I'm learning a lot with you.

[@awdhalowathi579]

very very good teacher ( incredible )

[@AndreaSubversa]

I love her! hahahahahaha

[@eushabinfarhad2463]

I laughed hard at this one

[@rubimorelos5193]

Wonderful, I really enjoy these classes, I laugh, I learn and every day I improve my English. Thank you Gill for your wonderful and charismatic way of teaching, thousands of blessings for you, I love you very much!! :D, xxx

[@GuanglinDu]

A great tutor, and extremely helpful lessons. I like your London accent, Gill.

[@АлександрХодовец-э3г]

As clear as as the sky in good weather. As good as Gill's clarification. Thanks a lot, Gill, you are a very good teacher. Well done!

[@yanam9655]

Such a passionate teacher. Gill you are the greatest

[@itiswhatitis1924]

When u sang nursery rhymes I was just lost in my old childhood memories U sang it very well And the way u explain is really Cristal clear If I go through other videos they wil explain the way you did So thank you and may God bless u always 🤗

[@josephmolebatsi6071]

Thank you Gill for singing to us "twinkle twinkle little star. You certainly reminded me of the good old days.

[@carmen28071]

Thank you so much! You are incredible.

[@filomenaclaudio3777]

Hello, Gill! Your lesson about "using similes" was very interesting and useful. You are so clear and friendly that is a pleasure to attend your lessons. I wish you a very happy New Year! Filomena

[@carlabranco7]

nice lesson Gill thank you...and btw... you sing pretty well :) obrigada

[@nathankaiser2511]

Admirable teaching, great teacher, thank you for sharing your expertise Amen ❤

[@jerseyjacket100]

Fabulous singing! :)

[@pablobianchi4158]

Such a lovely person, your voice tone is soft and nice, music for my ears, I really enjoy your lessons. Best wishes

[@felicidad144]

Thank you. You are a wondeful teacher.

[@ArtesetLinguæ]

Hello and thanks for these gracious and informative videos. They are as clear as daylight. Cheerios and blessings.

[@thilakasirispathiranage9981]

We only need a few people like you to make the world a better place.

[@hripsimebuniatyan4655]

Dear Gill You are very talented, really experiensed and lovely lady. I absolutly love the way how you teach.

[@antoniodelima2066]

the main part that I liked was when you sang the song, very nice!

[@HaleyHuyen]

I really hope that you would have a lesson on "Euphemism". 😇😇

[@adylmouheidine4879]

Oh, no , not at all , your explanation is as clear as crystal . More importantly you present your lessons with devotion and generosity .