as a sheet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a sheet" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning without additional context.
It could potentially be used in a metaphorical sense, but clarity would depend on the surrounding text. Example: "He was as pale as a sheet after hearing the news."

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He's as white as a sheet.

The New Yorker

Gray was white as a sheet.

The New York Times - Books

Dr. Walsleben's advice was as crisp as a sheet.

The New York Times

"He was white as a sheet," she said.

The New York Times

A device based on this concept can enter a system as a sheet, perform duties in some other shape and return as a sheet.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

When he leaves, Frederic sits down next to me, white as a sheet.

The Guardian

The movie is as thrilling and painful as a sheet of ice held to the skin.

The Guardian - Film

I am white as a sheet and sweaty and make small honking noises.

The New York Times

And it's certainly not big enough to use as a sheet.

The Guardian - Travel

At the end of the evening, she was 'white as a sheet'.

The Guardian

I was as white as a sheet, and all he kept saying was 'this is history'.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a sheet" to describe someone's paleness due to shock, fear, or illness. It vividly conveys a loss of color in the face. For example, 'He turned as white as a sheet when he heard the news.'

Common error

While "as a sheet" is a recognizable simile, overuse can make writing sound predictable. Consider alternative expressions like "ashen-faced" or "pale as death" for a fresh impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a sheet" primarily functions as part of a simile, which is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using 'as' or 'like'. It is used adjectivally to describe the color or appearance of something, typically a person's face, emphasizing extreme paleness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a sheet" is a simile used to describe extreme paleness, often associated with shock, fear, or illness. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is acceptable but not particularly common, and its usage appears more frequently in news and media contexts. While grammatically sound, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider alternative expressions to maintain freshness in their writing. To describe someone's reaction, phrases such as "as white as a ghost" or "pale as death" may serve as more descriptive options.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as white as a ghost

Emphasizes paleness due to fear or illness.

as pale as death

Highlights extreme paleness suggesting near-death experience.

ashen-faced

Describes the face having a grayish color, indicating shock or sickness.

colorless

Implies a lack of vibrancy or pallor.

bloodless

Suggests absence of blood, indicating extreme shock or fear.

lacking color

Simply means without color, not necessarily negative.

chalky white

Describes the complexion as white as chalk.

ivory-skinned

Describes skin with a pale yellow shade.

wan complexion

Describes someone with a pale and sickly appearance.

bleached white

Indicates a very faded white color, implying loss of color.

FAQs

How can I use "as a sheet" in a sentence?

You can use "as a sheet" to describe someone's face turning very pale, usually due to shock, fear, or illness. For example, 'She was "as white as a sheet" after the rollercoaster ride.'

What does it mean when someone is described "as a sheet"?

To be described "as a sheet" means that someone's face has become extremely pale, resembling the color of a white sheet. This typically indicates a strong emotional or physical reaction, such as fear, shock, or sickness.

Which is more effective: "as a sheet" or "as white as a ghost"?

Both "as a sheet" and "as white as a ghost" are effective similes for describing extreme paleness. "As white as a ghost" /s/as+white+as+a+ghost may be more widely recognized, but "as a sheet" can be just as impactful depending on the context.

Are there any negative connotations associated with the phrase "as a sheet"?

The phrase "as a sheet" generally carries negative connotations, as it is used to describe someone experiencing a negative emotion or physical distress. It suggests that the person is feeling unwell, scared, or shocked.