Looking for a new, unique way to teach comparative expressions in English? Check out these slides featuring comparative expressions using animals. Your learners will love these dynamic slides. Be sure to read the accompanying text articles too for more English grammar information you can use in your EFL classroom.

1. http://octopusgourmet.wordpress.com/art-literature-and-educational-tidbits/%
C3%83%C2%A2%C3%82%C2%80%C3%82%C2%9Cmoby-dick-on-a-stick%
C3%83%C2%A2%C3%82%C2%80%C3%82%C2%9D-the-whale-as-food/
“Big as a Whale” and Other
Comparative Expressions
Using Animals
Prof. Larry M. Lynch
proflmlynch@gmail.com

2. Many idioms and expressions
in English use animals
in comparative expressions.
Here are a few widely
used examples:
http://interestingfactsblog.blogspot.com/2011/03/facts-about-crocodiles.html

3. Big as a whale
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowhead_whale

4. Blind as a bat
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bat

5. Brave as a lion
https://twitter.com/essexlion

6. http://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/teacher-blog/2013/may/05/bees-protecting-
endangered-news-resources-round-up
Busy as a bee

7. Crazy as a loon
https://github.com/unrealities/tombot/blob/master/scripts/loon.coffee

8. Dumb as an Ox
http://hubpages.com/hub/Year-of-the-Ox

9. Fast as a Jackrabbit
https://powerplantmen.wordpress.com/tag/jackrabbit/

10. Happy as a Clam
http://www.thefishsociety.co.uk/shop/cherrystone-clam-hardshell%20clam.html

11. Snug as a bug in a rug
http://usadultliteracy.wordpress.com/2014/03/19/idiom-of-the-week-snug-as-a-bug-
in-a-rug/

12. Proud as a Peacock
http://www.santabanta.com/wallpapers/peacocks/

13. Quiet as a Mouse
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja
&uact=8&ved=0CAYQjB0&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.armradio.am%2Fen%2F2014
%2F10%2F19%2Fman-finds-dead-mouse-in-his-mcdonalds-coffee%
2F&ei=zHaAVMuyF4GhNrG1gaAM&psig=AFQjCNE91zgKIZQUDDcaXL1reQ0
jb-1FZg&ust=1417791273781131

14. Silly as a Goose
http://www.scottish-country-dancing-dictionary.com/dance-crib/wild-goose-chase.
html

15. http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=21263.0
Slippery as an Eel

16. S-l-o-w as a Turtle
http://www.ecology.com/2012/05/23/world-turtle-day/

17. Sly as a Fox
http://www.frmheadtotoe.com/2012/10/fox-halloween-tutorial.html

18. Strong as a Bull
http://dreamatico.com/bull.html

19. Stubborn as a Mule
http://business.time.com/2011/08/18/when-stock-analysts-double-down-head-for-
the-hills/

20. Wise as an Owl
http://libguides.sevenhillsschool.org/content.php?pid=550305&sid=4533441

21. Swim like a Fish
http://nolimitsscuba.com/blog/scuba/conserving-air-while-diving/

22. Eats like a Horse
Drinks like a camel
http://www.personal.psu.edu/wbs14/blogs/horses_agriculture/
http://www.redorbit.com/education/reference_library/animal_kingdom/mammal
ia/1112681451/dromedary-camel-camelus-dromedarius/

23. Eats like a Bird
http://talkrational.org/showthread.php?t=59853&page=5

24. Runs like a Deer
http://twoguysatlunch.blogspot.com/2013/09/wegmans-or-bust.html

25. Meek as a Lamb
http://www.reddit.com/r/SketchDaily/comments/21tapz/march_31st_out_like_a
_lamb/

26. Thrifty as a Squirrel
http://easterngraysquirrel.deviantart.com/journal/16-tips-for-photographing-squirrels-
346745747

27. Filthy as a Pig
http://charltonteaching.blogspot.com/2014/04/untruths-told-to-children-pigs-are.
html

28. Heavy as an Elephant
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/weird-news/hilarious-moment-elephant-uses-car-
3997679

29. Hard-working as an Ant
http://phenomena.nationalgeographic.com/2012/12/27/how-leafcutter-ants-evolved-
from-farmers-into-cows/

30. “That’s all for now, folks!
See you
Next time”
Read more online at:
Prof. Larry M. Lynch
Proflmlynch@gmail.com
http://hdwallsource.com/goose-wallpaper-33252.html