Sometimes, we want to say that something lasted a really long time. Instead of just saying “a long time,” people often use similes. A simile compares two things using the words like or as. These fun phrases help make speaking and writing more interesting. They also help others understand better what we mean.
For example, if someone waits for the bus forever, we might say, “She waited like a statue.” That tells us she didn’t move for a long time. In this lesson, you’ll learn many similes people use to talk about time that feels extra long. These expressions are easy to understand and fun to use. Let’s explore how they help us talk about time in creative ways.
Similes for Long Time
1. Like waiting for water to boil
Meaning: Feels slow and boring
Within a Sentence: Waiting for recess was like waiting for water to boil. / Math class felt like waiting for water to boil.
In Other Words: It felt slow. / It took forever.
2. As slow as a turtle
Meaning: Very slow, taking a long time
Within a Sentence: The line at the lunchroom was as slow as a turtle. / Cleaning my room was as slow as a turtle.
In Other Words: It took a long time. / It moved really slowly.
3. Like watching paint dry
Meaning: Very boring and slow
Within a Sentence: That movie was like watching paint dry. / Waiting for the rain to stop felt like watching paint dry.
In Other Words: It felt super slow. / It was boring.
4. As long as a school day
Meaning: A long stretch of time
Within a Sentence: The car ride felt as long as a school day. / Waiting in the doctor’s office was as long as a school day.
In Other Words: It felt like it lasted forever. / It was long.
5. Like a never-ending story
Meaning: Something that keeps going
Within a Sentence: His story was like a never-ending story. / Our homework felt like a never-ending story.
In Other Words: It didn’t stop. / It felt super long.
6. As slow as molasses
Meaning: Moving very slowly
Within a Sentence: The internet was as slow as molasses. / The teacher spoke as slow as molasses.
In Other Words: It took forever. / It was really slow.
7. Like being stuck in traffic
Meaning: Waiting for a long time
Within a Sentence: The computer loading was like being stuck in traffic. / Standing in line felt like being stuck in traffic.
In Other Words: It took too long. / It didn’t move fast.
8. As old as the hills
Meaning: Very old or from a long time ago
Within a Sentence: That chair is as old as the hills. / My grandpa’s stories are as old as the hills.
In Other Words: Very old. / From a long time ago.
9. Like a broken clock
Meaning: Never moving or changing
Within a Sentence: The class felt like a broken clock—it never moved. / Time felt stuck like a broken clock.
In Other Words: Nothing was happening. / It felt very slow.
10. As endless as the sky
Meaning: Going on and on
Within a Sentence: The wait for my turn felt as endless as the sky. / The day felt as endless as the sky.
In Other Words: It never seemed to stop. / It felt too long.
11. Like a frozen clock
Meaning: Time feels stuck
Within a Sentence: The last five minutes of class felt like a frozen clock. / The ride home felt like a frozen clock.
In Other Words: Time didn’t move. / It felt like forever.
12. As long as summer break
Meaning: Feels like a very long wait
Within a Sentence: Waiting for my turn felt as long as summer break. / That speech was as long as summer break.
In Other Words: It took a really long time. / It felt huge.
13. Like a snail on a sidewalk
Meaning: Very slow moving
Within a Sentence: The line moved like a snail on a sidewalk. / Homework went like a snail on a sidewalk.
In Other Words: Super slow. / It took forever.
14. As slow as bedtime
Meaning: Time goes slow when you wait for bed
Within a Sentence: The day felt as slow as bedtime on a school night. / That boring part of the movie was as slow as bedtime.
In Other Words: It didn’t move fast. / It took too long.
15. Like a quiet afternoon
Meaning: Peaceful and long
Within a Sentence: The library felt like a quiet afternoon. / The car ride was like a quiet afternoon.
In Other Words: Calm and slow. / Felt long.
16. As long as a grown-up’s story
Meaning: Stories that feel like they go on forever
Within a Sentence: His story was as long as a grown-up’s story. / Dad’s explanation was as long as a grown-up’s story.
In Other Words: It took a long time. / It didn’t end fast.
17. Like a never-ending line
Meaning: A line that goes on and on
Within a Sentence: The lunch line was like a never-ending line. / The wait for the water slide was like a never-ending line.
In Other Words: Very long. / Took forever.
18. As slow as a traffic light
Meaning: Very slow and seems to take forever
Within a Sentence: The red light was as slow as a traffic light that never turns green. / Getting through the chapter felt as slow as a traffic light.
In Other Words: It felt like it took forever.
19. Like a story with too many pages
Meaning: Feels too long and never ends
Within a Sentence: The book felt like a story with too many pages. / The instructions were like a story with too many pages.
In Other Words: Long and never-ending.
20. As long as a spelling test
Meaning: Feels like it drags on
Within a Sentence: That speech was as long as a spelling test. / Our wait for ice cream felt as long as a spelling test.
In Other Words: It seemed to last forever.
21. Like standing in the cold
Meaning: Feels long and uncomfortable
Within a Sentence: Waiting outside felt like standing in the cold. / The bus delay was like standing in the cold.
In Other Words: Long and hard to wait.
22. As slow as a sleepy cat
Meaning: Not moving fast at all
Within a Sentence: My brain was as slow as a sleepy cat during math class. / The computer was as slow as a sleepy cat.
In Other Words: Really slow. / Taking forever.
23. Like a phone call with grandma
Meaning: Long and keeps going
Within a Sentence: That meeting was like a phone call with grandma. / His story was like a phone call with grandma.
In Other Words: It lasted forever.
24. As long as a football game
Meaning: A stretch of time
Within a Sentence: That lesson felt as long as a football game. / The wait at the dentist felt as long as a football game.
In Other Words: Felt like a big wait.
25. Like walking through mud
Meaning: Slow and hard
Within a Sentence: Getting through homework was like walking through mud. / The last mile felt like walking through mud.
In Other Words: It dragged. / It was slow.
26. As slow as a Monday morning
Meaning: Time feels slow
Within a Sentence: The morning was as slow as a Monday. / School felt as slow as a Monday morning.
In Other Words: Very slow. / Felt like a long time.
27. Like counting stars
Meaning: Something that seems to never end
Within a Sentence: Reading that book was like counting stars. / Doing the chores felt like counting stars.
In Other Words: It went on forever.
28. As long as a movie marathon
Meaning: Really long time
Within a Sentence: The wait for the game was as long as a movie marathon. / Our drive was as long as a movie marathon.
In Other Words: It lasted forever.
29. Like waiting for cookies to bake
Meaning: Slow and full of wanting
Within a Sentence: The clock ticked like waiting for cookies to bake. / The time before lunch felt like waiting for cookies to bake.
In Other Words: It felt long and slow.
30. As endless as a math test
Meaning: Feels like it goes on forever
Within a Sentence: That class was as endless as a math test. / Her list of rules was as endless as a math test.
In Other Words: So long. / It wouldn’t end.
31. Like waiting for your birthday
Meaning: A wait that feels forever
Within a Sentence: The week before vacation felt like waiting for your birthday. / Waiting for summer break was like waiting for your birthday.
In Other Words: It took forever.
32. As slow as a school clock
Meaning: Time goes slowly
Within a Sentence: That afternoon was as slow as a school clock. / The last period felt as slow as a school clock.
In Other Words: It felt super slow.
33. Like an endless hallway
Meaning: Never seems to stop
Within a Sentence: The hallway to the office felt like an endless hallway. / The walk home felt like an endless hallway.
In Other Words: Very long. / Felt far.
34. As slow as waiting in the nurse’s office
Meaning: Time feels slow and stuck
Within a Sentence: Waiting for my turn felt as slow as waiting in the nurse’s office. / The test time was as slow as the nurse’s office wait.
In Other Words: It dragged on.
35. Like holding your breath
Meaning: A hard and long wait
Within a Sentence: Waiting to hear my score felt like holding my breath. / The pause before the winner was named felt like holding my breath.
In Other Words: It felt tense and long.
36. As long as a winter night
Meaning: Very long and slow
Within a Sentence: That boring day was as long as a winter night. / The lesson felt as long as a winter night.
In Other Words: It lasted so long.
37. Like reading a huge book
Meaning: A task that takes a lot of time
Within a Sentence: Cleaning my closet was like reading a huge book. / That test was like reading a huge book.
In Other Words: Took forever.
38. As slow as a lazy river
Meaning: Calm but very slow
Within a Sentence: The afternoon passed as slow as a lazy river. / The game download was as slow as a lazy river.
In Other Words: Very slow and calm.
39. Like waiting for snow
Meaning: Waiting a long time for something to happen
Within a Sentence: The surprise party felt like waiting for snow. / Getting news felt like waiting for snow.
In Other Words: It took forever.
40. As long as a school assembly
Meaning: Feels like it goes on and on
Within a Sentence: That line felt as long as a school assembly. / The meeting was as long as a school assembly.
In Other Words: Very long time.
41. Like a stretched-out yawn
Meaning: Feels very slow and drawn out
Within a Sentence: The speech was like a stretched-out yawn. / Waiting in the hallway felt like a stretched-out yawn.
In Other Words: Slow and long.
42. As long as a rainy day
Meaning: A slow, dragging time
Within a Sentence: That lecture was as long as a rainy day. / The car ride was as long as a rainy day.
In Other Words: It lasted a long time.
43. Like walking in a circle
Meaning: Going around without getting anywhere
Within a Sentence: That talk felt like walking in a circle. / Their argument was like walking in a circle.
In Other Words: No end. / Felt long and stuck.
44. As slow as waiting for toast
Meaning: A small thing that feels long
Within a Sentence: The printer was as slow as waiting for toast. / Her answer came as slow as waiting for toast.
In Other Words: It took too long.
45. Like a big empty road
Meaning: Feels never-ending
Within a Sentence: The walk home felt like a big empty road. / The hallway felt like a big empty road.
In Other Words: So long and quiet.
46. As long as a sleepover night
Meaning: A full, packed time
Within a Sentence: The school trip felt as long as a sleepover night. / The party was as long as a sleepover night.
In Other Words: A lot happened over time.
47. Like waiting for a sneeze
Meaning: Waiting for something that takes a while
Within a Sentence: That moment felt like waiting for a sneeze. / The surprise felt like waiting for a sneeze.
In Other Words: Uncomfortable and long.
48. As slow as a loading screen
Meaning: Taking way too long
Within a Sentence: The website was as slow as a loading screen. / The game update was as slow as a loading screen.
In Other Words: Very slow.
49. Like a dream that won’t end
Meaning: Goes on and on
Within a Sentence: That class felt like a dream that won’t end. / The conversation was like a dream that won’t end.
In Other Words: It kept going.
50. As slow as waiting for mail
Meaning: Taking too long
Within a Sentence: The email was as slow as waiting for mail. / The delivery was as slow as waiting for mail.
In Other Words: It was slow and delayed.
51. Like walking up a hill
Meaning: Takes effort and time
Within a Sentence: Doing chores felt like walking up a hill. / The last lap was like walking up a hill.
In Other Words: Hard and long.
52. As long as a quiet Sunday
Meaning: Peaceful but very slow
Within a Sentence: That lazy afternoon was as long as a quiet Sunday. / The wait for dinner was as long as a quiet Sunday.
In Other Words: Calm but long.
53. Like counting grains of sand
Meaning: A job that takes forever
Within a Sentence: Cleaning the glitter felt like counting grains of sand. / The puzzle was like counting grains of sand.
In Other Words: Took so much time.
54. As slow as a sleepy dog
Meaning: Not quick at all
Within a Sentence: The old computer was as slow as a sleepy dog. / The printer was as slow as a sleepy dog.
In Other Words: Very slow.
55. Like a line at the DMV
Meaning: A famously long wait
Within a Sentence: That wait felt like a line at the DMV. / The movie previews were like a line at the DMV.
In Other Words: Long and boring.
56. As long as the alphabet
Meaning: A long list
Within a Sentence: His list of chores was as long as the alphabet. / The spelling words were as long as the alphabet.
In Other Words: A lot to do.
57. Like being stuck in glue
Meaning: Moving slowly and hard to get through
Within a Sentence: That long meeting felt like being stuck in glue. / The day was like being stuck in glue.
In Other Words: Time moved slowly.
58. As slow as getting out of bed
Meaning: Very slow-moving
Within a Sentence: The morning felt as slow as getting out of bed. / The class was as slow as getting out of bed.
In Other Words: Really slow.
59. Like waiting for a wish to come true
Meaning: Feels like it takes forever
Within a Sentence: Waiting for the package felt like waiting for a wish to come true. / Her response was like waiting for a wish.
In Other Words: Very long wait.
60. As endless as a library shelf
Meaning: Goes on and on
Within a Sentence: The choices were as endless as a library shelf. / That list felt as endless as a library shelf.
In Other Words: Never-ending.
Similes for a Long Time: True/False Quiz
Read each sentence. Decide if it’s True or False.
- Saying “as slow as a turtle” means something is very quick.
True / False - “Like watching paint dry” means something is very fun and fast.
True / False - If something is “as long as a school day,” it feels like it lasts a long time.
True / False - “Like being stuck in traffic” means you got somewhere quickly.
True / False - Saying “as slow as molasses” means something is moving fast.
True / False - “Like counting stars” means something goes on and on.
True / False - “As long as summer break” means something that takes only a few minutes.
True / False - “Like waiting for cookies to bake” means something is fast and easy.
True / False - “As endless as the sky” means it keeps going.
True / False - “As slow as a sleepy cat” means something is very fast.
True / False - If something is “like walking through mud,” it’s easy and quick.
True / False - “Like a broken clock” means time feels stuck or slow.
True / False - “As long as a spelling test” means something is short and fun.
True / False - “Like a quiet afternoon” can mean something is peaceful and feels long.
True / False - “As endless as a library shelf” means it goes on forever.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- False
- True
- False
- True
- 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
Similes help us describe time in a fun and clear way. Instead of just saying something takes a long time, we can compare it to things we know, like waiting for cookies or sitting in a boring class. These comparisons make our words more interesting and easier to picture.
When you learn these similes, you understand stories and people better. You can also use them when you talk or write. It makes your ideas sound more real and fun. Keep noticing how others use similes. Soon, you’ll be using them too, without even thinking about it.
