Some things in life are fair. But many things are not. When something is unfair, we call it “inequality.” People talk about inequality when someone gets more than others or is treated better or worse for no good reason. To explain this clearly, people often use similes.
A simile is a way to compare two things using the words “like” or “as.” It helps people understand an idea better. In this article, we will learn similes that show how unfair things can be. These similes help us picture what inequality feels like in real life. They make hard ideas easier to talk about and understand.
Similes for Inequality
1. Like a broken scale
Meaning: Not fair or balanced
Within a Sentence: The game felt like a broken scale when only one team got a turn. / It was like a broken scale when the teacher only called on her favorite student.
In Other Words: Something wasn’t fair. / Things didn’t feel even.
2. As unfair as skipping turns
Meaning: One person gets more chances
Within a Sentence: It was as unfair as skipping turns when my brother got to play twice. / The class felt as unfair as skipping turns during the game.
In Other Words: Not everyone got the same chance. / Some were left out.
3. Like playing with stacked cards
Meaning: One side is given all the help
Within a Sentence: The test was like playing with stacked cards for kids who had the notes. / The contest felt like stacked cards when only the rich kids had supplies.
In Other Words: It was harder for some. / The rules helped only one group.
4. As fair as a one-way street
Meaning: Only works for one person
Within a Sentence: Their friendship was as fair as a one-way street, she gave, but he never did. / It felt as fair as a one-way street when I always did the chores.
In Other Words: One person did all the work. / The other didn’t help.
5. Like a race with different starting lines
Meaning: Some people have an easier start
Within a Sentence: The race felt unfair, like a race with different starting lines. / It was like that when some kids already had the answers.
In Other Words: Not everyone started at the same place. / It was easier for some.
6. As equal as a tilted seesaw
Meaning: Not balanced
Within a Sentence: The rewards were as equal as a tilted seesaw. / The team groups felt as equal as a seesaw stuck on one side.
In Other Words: Some got more, others got less. / It wasn’t fair.
7. Like giving two cookies to one kid and one to another
Meaning: Treating people differently
Within a Sentence: It felt like giving two cookies to one kid and one to another. / That’s what it was like when only the boys got to pick the game.
In Other Words: Not the same treatment. / One person got more.
8. As unfair as playing soccer uphill
Meaning: One side has a harder time
Within a Sentence: The game was as unfair as playing soccer uphill. / It felt that way when my team had the broken equipment.
In Other Words: One group had a harder task. / It wasn’t equal.
9. Like a teacher with one favorite
Meaning: Giving special treatment
Within a Sentence: It felt like a teacher with one favorite when he got all the praise. / That’s how it felt when only one student got help.
In Other Words: Someone was clearly chosen. / The rest were left out.
10. As even as a wobbly table
Meaning: Not stable or fair
Within a Sentence: The rules were as even as a wobbly table. / It felt as even as a shaky table when the grades weren’t fair.
In Other Words: It was unsteady. / It didn’t feel right.
11. Like sharing a blanket that’s too small
Meaning: Not enough for everyone
Within a Sentence: It felt like sharing a blanket that’s too small when the supplies ran out. / Only a few had books, it was like a too-small blanket.
In Other Words: Some got left out. / It wasn’t enough for all.
12. As fair as a game with hidden rules
Meaning: One group knows more
Within a Sentence: The test felt as fair as a game with hidden rules. / It was like that when some had hints but others didn’t.
In Other Words: Not everyone had the same info. / Some had an advantage.
13. Like racing with a heavy backpack
Meaning: Some have more to carry
Within a Sentence: The contest was like racing with a heavy backpack for some kids. / It felt like that when I had more chores than others.
In Other Words: It was harder for some. / The load wasn’t fair.
14. As balanced as a lopsided swing
Meaning: Not equal
Within a Sentence: The treatment was as balanced as a lopsided swing. / It felt off when some kids always went first.
In Other Words: Things weren’t fair. / One side got more.
15. Like giving some kids crayons and others pencils
Meaning: Unequal tools
Within a Sentence: The art contest was like giving some crayons and others just pencils. / That’s how it felt in class projects.
In Other Words: Some had better stuff. / Others were at a loss.
16. As just as a broken clock
Meaning: Not reliable or fair
Within a Sentence: The rule felt as just as a broken clock. / It didn’t help when only some kids were punished.
In Other Words: It didn’t work well. / It wasn’t fair.
17. Like giving bikes to some and shoes to others for a race
Meaning: Not the same chance
Within a Sentence: The competition was like that, bikes for some, shoes for others. / It made winning easier for one side.
In Other Words: One group had it easier. / It wasn’t a fair start.
18. As fair as picking teams with your eyes closed
Meaning: Random and not equal
Within a Sentence: The game was as fair as picking teams with your eyes closed. / Some kids ended up with all the strong players.
In Other Words: It didn’t feel fair. / The teams were uneven.
19. Like playing tag in flip-flops
Meaning: One group is at a disadvantage
Within a Sentence: It was like playing tag in flip-flops when we didn’t get time to study. / The others were way ahead.
In Other Words: One group was held back. / Others had it easier.
20. As equal as a seesaw with a rock on one side
Meaning: Clearly unfair
Within a Sentence: The rules were as equal as a seesaw with a rock on one side. / The prize was always harder to reach for us.
In Other Words: It was uneven. / Not everyone had a fair chance.
21. Like sharing a pizza with missing slices
Meaning: Some don’t get enough
Within a Sentence: It was like sharing a pizza with missing slices when only some kids got snacks. / We had to split what was left.
In Other Words: It wasn’t fair. / There wasn’t enough for all.
22. As even as a slanted floor
Meaning: Hard to stand the same
Within a Sentence: It felt as even as a slanted floor when others had more time. / Some of us were always behind.
In Other Words: Not a fair setup. / Some struggled more.
23. Like playing hide-and-seek with no place to hide
Meaning: Some don’t have a fair chance
Within a Sentence: The game was like playing hide-and-seek with no place to hide. / It was too hard for some of us.
In Other Words: One side had no chance. / It wasn’t fair.
24. As fair as sharing one toy with five kids
Meaning: Not enough for everyone
Within a Sentence: It was as fair as sharing one toy with five kids during free time. / Some had to wait the whole time.
In Other Words: It was too little. / Some kids missed out.
25. Like coloring with broken crayons
Meaning: Given poor tools
Within a Sentence: It was like coloring with broken crayons while others had markers. / Our group couldn’t do as well.
In Other Words: The tools weren’t equal. / We were behind.
26. As even as a sandcastle in the wind
Meaning: Can’t stand strong or fair
Within a Sentence: The treatment was as even as a sandcastle in the wind. / It was always changing.
In Other Words: Not steady. / Didn’t stay fair.
27. Like giving one person a map and the other nothing
Meaning: Unfair help
Within a Sentence: The task was like that; some had help, some didn’t. / It was easier for one group.
In Other Words: One side had better tools. / The rest struggled.
28. As just as a bent ruler
Meaning: Not measuring things correctly
Within a Sentence: The grading felt as bent as a ruler. / Some got better scores without trying.
In Other Words: The rules weren’t fair. / It didn’t feel right.
29. Like building with missing blocks
Meaning: Not having enough
Within a Sentence: Our team felt like we were building with missing blocks. / We had fewer chances.
In Other Words: We didn’t have what we needed. / Others did.
30. As fair as flipping a two-headed coin
Meaning: One side always wins
Within a Sentence: The game was as fair as flipping a two-headed coin. / The same group won every time.
In Other Words: One side had an unfair win. / It was rigged.
31. Like being given a shovel while others get machines
Meaning: Some have much harder work
Within a Sentence: It felt like being given a shovel while others got machines to dig. / We had more to do with fewer tools.
In Other Words: One side had to work much harder. / The job wasn’t equal.
32. As fair as a race where some skip half the course
Meaning: Giving shortcuts to some
Within a Sentence: It was as fair as a race where some skip half the course. / Others had to do more to get the same grade.
In Other Words: It gave easy paths to some. / Others were stuck.
33. Like sharing shoes that don’t fit
Meaning: The solution doesn’t work for everyone
Within a Sentence: The rule felt like sharing shoes that don’t fit. / It worked for some but not all.
In Other Words: One size didn’t fit everyone. / It wasn’t right for all.
34. As even as chairs with one missing leg
Meaning: Shaky and unfair
Within a Sentence: The setup was as even as chairs with one missing leg. / Some kids had a hard time staying in place.
In Other Words: It wasn’t stable. / It didn’t work for everyone.
35. Like, only some kids getting directions
Meaning: Not everyone knows what to do
Within a Sentence: It was like only some kids got directions for the test. / We felt lost.
In Other Words: It gave some kids an edge. / Others had no help.
36. As fair as a teacher picking favorites
Meaning: Bias in treatment
Within a Sentence: It felt as fair as a teacher picking favorites. / One student got more chances than the rest.
In Other Words: The treatment was unfair. / It helped only one.
37. Like giving some kids glasses and others foggy ones
Meaning: Some get to see clearly, others don’t
Within a Sentence: The lesson was like that, some saw clearly, others were left confused.
In Other Words: Only some could learn well. / The rest struggled.
38. As fair as giving one team more players
Meaning: One side is too strong
Within a Sentence: The game was as fair as giving one team more players. / It wasn’t fun for the smaller team.
In Other Words: One side had the upper hand. / Others didn’t stand a chance.
39. Like baking with missing ingredients
Meaning: Lacking what’s needed
Within a Sentence: Our project felt like baking with missing ingredients. / It was hard to do our best.
In Other Words: We didn’t have what we needed. / Others did.
40. As even as a staircase with missing steps
Meaning: Harder for some to climb
Within a Sentence: The goal felt as even as a staircase with missing steps. / We had to work harder to reach it.
In Other Words: It wasn’t a fair climb. / Some had an easier way.
41. Like playing a video game with broken controls
Meaning: Some can’t play well
Within a Sentence: It felt like playing a video game with broken controls. / Others had the new tools.
In Other Words: One group had a harder time. / Others had it easy.
42. As fair as a rainstorm during your turn
Meaning: Bad timing for some only
Within a Sentence: It felt as fair as a rainstorm during just our turn. / The others got sun.
In Other Words: Some had worse luck. / It wasn’t fair timing.
43. Like being in a game where only one team has a ball
Meaning: Others can’t even play
Within a Sentence: It was like being in a game where only one team has a ball. / We couldn’t join in.
In Other Words: One group was left out. / Others had all the fun.
44. As even as sharing a slice of cake with a fork and spoon
Meaning: One side has a better tool
Within a Sentence: It was as even as eating cake with a spoon while others had forks. / We had to work harder.
In Other Words: Not equal tools. / One group had it easy.
45. Like handing out umbrellas to only half the class
Meaning: Protection or help for some
Within a Sentence: It felt like handing out umbrellas to only half the class in the rain. / The rest got soaked.
In Other Words: Help was not for all. / It felt unfair.
46. As fair as a pop quiz with no warning
Meaning: Surprise rules for some
Within a Sentence: It was as fair as a pop quiz with no warning for just one group. / The others were told ahead.
In Other Words: Some had help. / Others did not.
47. Like cleaning a room while others mess it up
Meaning: One side does all the work
Within a Sentence: It felt like cleaning while others messed it up. / We kept fixing things others broke.
In Other Words: The effort wasn’t equal. / We worked more.
48. As fair as getting less time on a test
Meaning: Not enough time for some
Within a Sentence: It was as fair as getting less time on a test. / Others had more minutes.
In Other Words: Some were rushed. / Others were not.
49. Like standing in line and getting skipped
Meaning: Ignored after waiting
Within a Sentence: It felt like standing in line and getting skipped. / We were passed over.
In Other Words: Others were chosen first. / It wasn’t fair.
50. As even as a race with different finish lines
Meaning: One group finishes faster
Within a Sentence: The goals felt as even as a race with different finish lines. / We had a longer road.
In Other Words: Some had it easier. / Others had to do more.
51. Like sharing a chair made for one
Meaning: Too little space for everyone
Within a Sentence: It was like sharing a chair made for one. / We had to squeeze in while others had room.
In Other Words: Not enough for all. / Some had more space.
52. As fair as a flashlight with dying batteries
Meaning: Some don’t get to see clearly
Within a Sentence: It was as fair as a flashlight with dying batteries. / We couldn’t see the page well.
In Other Words: Our help wasn’t strong. / Others had better light.
53. Like being told to run but having no shoes
Meaning: Given a task but not the tools
Within a Sentence: It was like running with no shoes. / The others had all they needed.
In Other Words: We were unprepared. / Others were ready.
54. As equal as a tug-of-war with one team missing
Meaning: One side has no chance
Within a Sentence: It felt like a tug-of-war with no one on our side. / The game wasn’t even.
In Other Words: One team was much stronger. / The rest had no chance.
55. Like trying to read in the dark
Meaning: Not having what you need
Within a Sentence: It was like trying to read in the dark. / Others had lights and help.
In Other Words: We were in a tough spot. / It wasn’t equal.
56. As fair as a puzzle with missing pieces
Meaning: Can’t finish what others can
Within a Sentence: The task felt as fair as a puzzle with missing pieces. / We couldn’t do our part fully.
In Other Words: We didn’t have what we needed. / Others did.
57. Like baking cookies without an oven
Meaning: Can’t complete the job
Within a Sentence: Our team was like baking cookies without an oven. / Others had everything ready.
In Other Words: We were stuck. / Others finished easily.
58. As even as a ladder with broken steps
Meaning: Harder to climb for some
Within a Sentence: Success felt as even as a ladder with broken steps. / Some had smooth climbs.
In Other Words: Our way was harder. / Others had it easy.
59. Like coloring in the dark
Meaning: Can’t do your best
Within a Sentence: It felt like coloring in the dark while others had bright lights. / We missed details.
In Other Words: Others had an advantage. / We couldn’t shine.
60. As fair as choosing teams and never getting picked
Meaning: Always left out
Within a Sentence: It felt as fair as never getting picked for the team. / Others were always chosen.
In Other Words: We felt ignored. / It wasn’t right.
Similes for Inequality – True/False Quiz
1. Saying “like a broken scale” means something feels fair.
True / False
2. “As fair as a one-way street” means both sides get equal chances.
True / False
3. “Like racing with a heavy backpack” means one person has it easier.
True / False
4. “As even as a tilted seesaw” means things are very balanced.
True / False
5. “Like giving cookies to only one kid” shows unfairness.
True / False
6. “As fair as a pop quiz with no warning for some” means equal treatment.
True / False
7. “Like baking with missing blocks” means everyone has the same tools.
True / False
8. “As even as a ladder with broken steps” means it’s harder for some to succeed.
True / False
9. “Like being in a game with no ball” means it’s easy for everyone to play.
True / False
10. “As just as a bent ruler” means it measures things correctly.
True / False
11. “Like playing tag in flip-flops” shows one team had better shoes.
True / False
12. “As fair as a flashlight with dying batteries” means both sides had clear light.
True / False
13. “Like coloring in the dark” means everyone had the same view.
True / False
14. “As fair as choosing teams and never getting picked” means everyone was included.
True / False
15. “Like a race where some skip the course” shows some had an easier path.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- 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
Sometimes, life isn’t fair. When we see this, it can be hard to explain. Similes help us talk about unfair things in a simple way. They use comparisons to show how some people get more and others get less.
By learning these similes, we understand inequality better. We also learn how to speak and write about it clearly. This helps us see when something isn’t right, and makes it easier to fix it. Keep watching for similes in books, stories, and even in real life. They can teach you a lot.
