Sometimes, we face problems that seem too hard to fix. These are moments when nothing works, and we don’t know what to do. People often call these “impossible situations.” They can happen at school, at home, or even with friends. Instead of saying “This is hard” or “I can’t solve this,” people use similes to make their feelings easier to understand.
A simile is a phrase that compares two things using the words like or as. These comparisons help show just how tricky a situation feels. For example, someone might say, “It’s like climbing a mountain with no shoes.” That means the task feels very hard or even hopeless. In this article, we’ll look at fun and helpful similes that people use when they’re stuck or feel like giving up. These phrases can help you describe tough times in a better way.
Similes for Impossible Situations
1. Like trying to catch the wind
Meaning: Very hard or impossible to do
Within a Sentence: Getting my cat to take a bath is like trying to catch the wind. / Cleaning the yard during a storm felt like trying to catch the wind.
In Other Words: It’s super hard. / You can’t do it easily.
2. As tricky as a maze with no end
Meaning: A problem that seems to go on forever
Within a Sentence: Solving that puzzle was as tricky as a maze with no end. / His story was as tricky as a maze with no end.
In Other Words: It felt like there was no way out. / It kept going.
3. Like nailing jelly to a wall
Meaning: Something that just won’t work
Within a Sentence: Teaching my little brother to sit still is like nailing jelly to a wall. / Making the tent stay up in the wind was like nailing jelly to a wall.
In Other Words: It’s pointless. / It keeps falling apart.
4. As easy as flying without wings
Meaning: It’s not easy at all, it’s impossible
Within a Sentence: Passing that quiz without studying is as easy as flying without wings. / It’s as easy as flying without wings to stop my dog from barking.
In Other Words: It’s very hard. / You can’t do it.
5. Like pushing a rope uphill
Meaning: A job that feels useless or very hard
Within a Sentence: Getting the class to stay quiet was like pushing a rope uphill. / Fixing that old bike was like pushing a rope uphill.
In Other Words: It’s tiring and doesn’t work well.
6. As clear as mud
Meaning: Something that makes no sense
Within a Sentence: That math problem was as clear as mud. / His answer was as clear as mud.
In Other Words: I didn’t understand it. / It was confusing.
7. Like building a castle with sand in the wind
Meaning: Something that falls apart quickly
Within a Sentence: Our plan was like building a castle with sand in the wind. / Trying to talk over the noise was like building a castle with sand in the wind.
In Other Words: It didn’t last. / It was no use.
8. As helpful as a screen door on a submarine
Meaning: Something that doesn’t help at all
Within a Sentence: That broken umbrella was as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. / His advice was as helpful as a screen door on a submarine.
In Other Words: It didn’t help. / It was silly.
9. Like herding cats
Meaning: Trying to control something that’s wild or hard
Within a Sentence: Getting my cousins to sit for a photo was like herding cats. / Planning a group project felt like herding cats.
In Other Words: They wouldn’t listen. / It was messy.
10. As fair as a game with no rules
Meaning: A situation that feels unfair
Within a Sentence: That test felt as fair as a game with no rules. / Their argument was as fair as a game with no rules.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / No one knew what to do.
11. Like trying to keep water in a net
Meaning: Very hard to hold onto or control
Within a Sentence: Keeping secrets in our class is like trying to keep water in a net. / Doing homework during recess was like keeping water in a net.
In Other Words: It doesn’t stay. / It doesn’t work.
12. As likely as pigs flying
Meaning: Something that will never happen
Within a Sentence: He’ll clean his room without being asked, as likely as pigs flying. / Me getting a pet lion is as likely as pigs flying.
In Other Words: It won’t happen. / No way.
13. Like shouting into the wind
Meaning: No one hears or listens
Within a Sentence: Telling them to quiet down was like shouting into the wind. / Asking for help in the loud room felt like shouting into the wind.
In Other Words: I was ignored. / It didn’t help.
14. As useful as a chocolate teapot
Meaning: Not useful at all
Within a Sentence: That broken pen was as useful as a chocolate teapot. / My flashlight without batteries is as useful as a chocolate teapot.
In Other Words: It can’t do the job. / It’s pointless.
15. Like climbing a ladder with no rungs
Meaning: Can’t make any progress
Within a Sentence: Understanding that book was like climbing a ladder with no rungs. / Fixing the puzzle without all the pieces felt like climbing a ladder with no rungs.
In Other Words: It’s impossible to finish. / I can’t go on.
16. As calm as a tornado
Meaning: Not calm at all
Within a Sentence: The classroom during free time was as calm as a tornado. / Our house on game night is as calm as a tornado.
In Other Words: It’s loud and wild. / There’s no peace.
17. Like solving a puzzle with missing pieces
Meaning: Something that’s hard because part is gone
Within a Sentence: Doing the math test without a calculator was like solving a puzzle with missing pieces. / Their story was like a puzzle with missing pieces.
In Other Words: Something’s missing. / It doesn’t work right.
18. As steady as a rocking boat
Meaning: Always changing, not stable
Within a Sentence: His mood is as steady as a rocking boat. / This plan is as steady as a rocking boat.
In Other Words: You can’t depend on it. / It keeps changing.
19. Like reading a book in the dark
Meaning: Can’t understand anything
Within a Sentence: The teacher’s notes were like reading a book in the dark. / The directions were like reading a book in the dark.
In Other Words: I couldn’t get it. / It made no sense.
20. As helpful as a flat tire
Meaning: Something that doesn’t work when needed
Within a Sentence: That marker was as helpful as a flat tire. / My printer was as helpful as a flat tire today.
In Other Words: Useless. / Didn’t help.
21. Like trying to teach a rock to dance
Meaning: Impossible to teach or change
Within a Sentence: Training the puppy felt like teaching a rock to dance. / Getting him to listen was like teaching a rock to dance.
In Other Words: Won’t work. / He won’t change.
22. As simple as rocket science
Meaning: Very complicated
Within a Sentence: This math is as simple as rocket science. / Her directions were as simple as rocket science.
In Other Words: It’s super hard. / It’s confusing.
23. Like squeezing juice from a dry lemon
Meaning: Trying to get something that’s not there
Within a Sentence: Getting ideas from him is like squeezing juice from a dry lemon. / Asking for help from her felt like squeezing juice from a dry lemon.
In Other Words: Nothing came out. / No help.
24. As real as a unicorn
Meaning: Not real at all
Within a Sentence: His story was as real as a unicorn. / Her reason for being late was as real as a unicorn.
In Other Words: It wasn’t true. / Totally fake.
25. Like walking in circles
Meaning: Going nowhere
Within a Sentence: Trying to clean that messy room felt like walking in circles. / The argument was like walking in circles.
In Other Words: Nothing changed. / We got nowhere.
26. As smart as a broken clock
Meaning: Not useful or smart
Within a Sentence: That idea was as smart as a broken clock. / His plan was as smart as a broken clock.
In Other Words: It wasn’t smart. / It didn’t work.
27. Like planting seeds on concrete
Meaning: Trying hard but getting nothing back
Within a Sentence: Teaching them was like planting seeds on concrete. / My effort was like planting seeds on concrete.
In Other Words: Nothing grew. / It was wasted.
28. As solid as soap bubbles
Meaning: Not strong or lasting
Within a Sentence: Their friendship is as solid as soap bubbles. / That promise was as solid as soap bubbles.
In Other Words: It popped fast. / It didn’t last.
29. Like riding a bike with square wheels
Meaning: Very slow or hard to do
Within a Sentence: The group project was like riding a bike with square wheels. / That old computer works like a bike with square wheels.
In Other Words: It’s slow. / It doesn’t work well.
30. As fun as doing chores
Meaning: Not fun at all
Within a Sentence: Waiting at the dentist is as fun as doing chores. / Cleaning my room is as fun as doing chores.
In Other Words: It’s boring. / I don’t like it.
31. Like finding a needle in a haystack
Meaning: Something that’s nearly impossible to find
Within a Sentence: Looking for my toy in that big bin was like finding a needle in a haystack. / Finding my sock in the laundry was like finding a needle in a haystack.
In Other Words: Very hard to find. / Almost impossible.
32. As fast as a snail on vacation
Meaning: Extremely slow
Within a Sentence: Our team was as fast as a snail on vacation. / The bus was as fast as a snail on vacation today.
In Other Words: Very slow. / It took forever.
33. Like balancing on a balloon
Meaning: Very unstable and risky
Within a Sentence: That plan was like balancing on a balloon. / Keeping secrets in our group is like balancing on a balloon.
In Other Words: It’s shaky. / It won’t last.
34. As possible as touching the stars
Meaning: Not possible at all
Within a Sentence: Winning without trying is as possible as touching the stars. / Getting him to stop talking is as possible as touching the stars.
In Other Words: It won’t happen. / No chance.
35. Like trying to hold fog
Meaning: Trying to control something you can’t
Within a Sentence: Controlling the crowd was like trying to hold fog. / The game rules were like trying to hold fog.
In Other Words: Couldn’t handle it. / It slipped away.
36. As straight as a curly fry
Meaning: Not straight or not going the right way
Within a Sentence: That line was as straight as a curly fry. / His story was as straight as a curly fry.
In Other Words: It was messy. / Not clear.
37. Like a map with no directions
Meaning: Something that doesn’t guide or help
Within a Sentence: That plan was like a map with no directions. / Her help was like a map with no directions.
In Other Words: It didn’t help. / No guidance.
38. As firm as jelly
Meaning: Weak or not steady
Within a Sentence: His answer was as firm as jelly. / The ladder felt as firm as jelly.
In Other Words: Not strong. / Not sure.
39. Like fixing a hole with paper
Meaning: A weak or bad solution
Within a Sentence: Using tape on the torn book was like fixing a hole with paper. / His apology was like fixing a hole with paper.
In Other Words: It didn’t work. / Too weak.
40. As quiet as a drum line
Meaning: Very noisy
Within a Sentence: That hallway was as quiet as a drum line. / The lunchroom was as quiet as a drum line.
In Other Words: It was loud. / No silence.
41. Like blowing air into a flat tire with your mouth
Meaning: Working hard for no result
Within a Sentence: Trying to finish the project alone felt like blowing air into a flat tire with my mouth. / It was like blowing air into a flat tire with your mouth.
In Other Words: It didn’t work. / It took too much effort.
42. As straight as a squiggle
Meaning: Very confusing or not clear
Within a Sentence: That explanation was as straight as a squiggle. / His drawing was as straight as a squiggle.
In Other Words: It was all over the place. / Not clear.
43. Like dancing in glue
Meaning: Something very slow or stuck
Within a Sentence: That lesson felt like dancing in glue. / Writing my essay was like dancing in glue.
In Other Words: I was stuck. / It went slow.
44. As quiet as a rock concert
Meaning: Extremely noisy
Within a Sentence: That classroom was as quiet as a rock concert. / Our hallway was as quiet as a rock concert.
In Other Words: It was super loud. / Not quiet at all.
45. Like making a snowman in summer
Meaning: Something that just won’t work
Within a Sentence: Making snowballs in July is like making a snowman in summer. / That plan was like making a snowman in summer.
In Other Words: It’s not possible. / It melts fast.
46. As open as a locked door
Meaning: Not open or helpful
Within a Sentence: That chance was as open as a locked door. / His answer was as open as a locked door.
In Other Words: No help. / Closed off.
47. Like speaking to a wall
Meaning: No one listens
Within a Sentence: Talking to my sister when she’s on her phone is like speaking to a wall. / It felt like speaking to a wall.
In Other Words: She didn’t hear me. / No response.
48. As fair as playing tag alone
Meaning: Very unfair
Within a Sentence: That rule was as fair as playing tag alone. / The test was as fair as playing tag alone.
In Other Words: Not fair. / Didn’t make sense.
49. Like painting the wind
Meaning: Trying to do something you can’t
Within a Sentence: Explaining that dream was like painting the wind. / It was like painting the wind to get him to focus.
In Other Words: It was hard. / Not possible.
50. As safe as walking on ice in flip-flops
Meaning: Not safe at all
Within a Sentence: That shortcut felt as safe as walking on ice in flip-flops. / His plan was as safe as walking on ice in flip-flops.
In Other Words: It felt risky. / Not smart.
51. Like grabbing smoke
Meaning: Trying to hold something that disappears
Within a Sentence: Reaching that goal felt like grabbing smoke. / The moment slipped away like grabbing smoke.
In Other Words: You can’t hold onto it. / It’s gone.
52. As helpful as a fork for soup
Meaning: Totally unhelpful
Within a Sentence: That spoon with holes was as helpful as a fork for soup. / My pen that won’t write is as helpful as a fork for soup.
In Other Words: No use. / Can’t do the job.
53. Like tying water in a knot
Meaning: Very silly and impossible
Within a Sentence: That challenge felt like tying water in a knot. / The idea of no homework forever is like tying water in a knot.
In Other Words: Not real. / Very silly.
54. As straight as spaghetti
Meaning: Not straight at all
Within a Sentence: The tower of blocks was as straight as spaghetti. / That path was as straight as spaghetti.
In Other Words: It was bendy. / Crooked.
55. Like reading without eyes
Meaning: You don’t have what you need
Within a Sentence: Doing math without numbers is like reading without eyes. / It’s like reading without eyes to try that game without knowing the rules.
In Other Words: Can’t do it. / It’s not possible.
56. As ready as bread in the freezer
Meaning: Not ready at all
Within a Sentence: I was as ready for the quiz as bread in the freezer. / She was as ready to speak as bread in the freezer.
In Other Words: Totally unprepared. / Not warmed up.
57. Like untangling a spider’s web
Meaning: Very tricky or complex
Within a Sentence: That riddle was like untangling a spider’s web. / Her plan was like untangling a spider’s web.
In Other Words: Complicated. / Very hard.
58. As still as popcorn
Meaning: Moving or noisy
Within a Sentence: That kid was as still as popcorn in class. / My dog was as still as popcorn when he saw the squirrel.
In Other Words: Always moving. / Not calm.
59. Like writing a book on toilet paper
Meaning: A plan that falls apart
Within a Sentence: That notebook was like writing a book on toilet paper. / Our notes in the rain were like writing on toilet paper.
In Other Words: It didn’t last. / It fell apart.
60. As useful as a snowball in the desert
Meaning: Totally unhelpful
Within a Sentence: Wearing mittens in summer is as useful as a snowball in the desert. / Her idea was as useful as a snowball in the desert.
In Other Words: Useless. / No help at all.
True/False Quiz – Similes for Impossible Situations
Read each sentence and decide if it shows a correct use or meaning of a simile for impossible situations. Write True or False.
- Saying “It was like catching the wind” means it was very easy.
- “As clear as mud” means the problem was easy to understand.
- “Like herding cats” means it was hard to control the group.
- “As helpful as a chocolate teapot” means something didn’t help at all.
- “Like walking in circles” means you were going backward.
- “As fast as a snail on vacation” means something is moving very slowly.
- “Like building a castle with sand in the wind” means your plan was strong and perfect.
- “Like trying to hold fog” means it’s very hard to hold onto something.
- “As fair as a game with no rules” means something feels unfair.
- “Like pushing a rope uphill” means a task is very hard or useless.
- “As calm as a tornado” means the room was peaceful.
- “Like solving a puzzle with missing pieces” means something is very easy to figure out.
- “Like trying to teach a rock to dance” means someone is hard to teach or change.
- “As solid as soap bubbles” means something is very strong.
- “Like painting the wind” means something is hard to explain or do.
Answers
- False
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 15 Correct Answers: Similes Master!
- 10–14 Correct Answers: You really get Similes, nice work!
- 6–9 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–5 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Similes together!
Conclusion
Impossible situations can be hard to explain. Similes help by comparing these tough times to funny or silly things we already know. When something feels too hard, like “pushing a rope uphill” or “catching the wind,” these phrases help others understand what we mean.
By learning these similes, you can talk about tricky times in a clear and fun way. Try using some in your writing or when you talk to your friends. It makes your words stronger and more interesting. Keep noticing how others use these kinds of sayings; they help tell great stories.
