ugly as sin
Meaning: Very ugly.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The building is ugly as sin, but the rent is cheap.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Sin was traditionally pictured as hideous. The comparison is found from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Laid comme un pou — literally: Ugly as a louse
More idioms — Daily Life
- the sandman is coming — It's time to sleep; someone is getting sleepy.
- cash on the nail — Payment made immediately.
- move the needle — To make a noticeable difference.
- have a few tricks up one's sleeve — To have secret plans or resources in reserve.
- so near and yet so far — Close to something one wants but unable to reach it.
- cast the first stone — To be the first to condemn someone.
More English idioms
- terra firma — Solid ground, as opposed to the sea or the air.
- bite the hand that feeds you — To harm or insult someone who helps you.
- soaked to the skin — Completely wet.
- in two shakes of a lamb's tail — Very quickly.
- a Procrustean bed — A rigid standard forced on everything, whatever the damage.
- a Sisyphean task — An endless, futile task.
From our tongue twisters
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- Betty Botter bought some butter, but she said the butter's bitter. — A 'b / t / tt' plosive drill that bounces between Betty, butter, and bitter.
- She sells seashells by the seashore. — The definitive 's' versus 'sh' alternation — the tongue has to switch place of articulati…