as harmless as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as harmless as a" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone or something that poses no threat or danger, often followed by a noun that completes the simile. Example: "The kitten was as harmless as a lamb, playing gently with the children."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

At one moment he looks as harmless as a sleeping cat.

The Guardian - Sport

The rest of the year, the servers would still run, but the heat generated would be vented to the outside, as harmless as a clothes dryer's.

The New York Times

Whatever dreadful thing one has been made to expect at that moment, it is unlikely to be as harmless as a dog.

The New Yorker

Even a setting as harmless as a backyard barbecue had the potential to become a scene of constant questioning or awkward silence.

The New York Times

This meant the players could lose their nerves today over something as harmless as a cricket and still steel themselves in time for the opening pitch.

The New York Times - Sports

The mechanic chain-smoked State Guest cigarettes the whole time he worked on the engine, but after Highway 110 it seemed as harmless as a sparkler on the Fourth of July.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Under a microscope, it can look almost as harmless as an overgrowth of normal cells in the milk ducts or almost as sinister as invasive breast cancer.

The New York Times - Health

57 mins Uruguay win a free-kick on the left wing, but Varela's ball in is as harmless as an England spinner in India.

The Guardian - Sport

Neither Bishen Bedi, nor Bhagwat Chandrasekhar, nor Abdul Qadir, nor Muttiah Muralitharan, nor Shane Warne had caused England's best batsmen such embarrassment on a surface as harmless as an empty pincushion.

The Guardian - Sport

Ronald K. Noble, secretary general of Interpol, has said that gambling on sports "might seem as harmless as placing a small bet on your favorite team".

The New York Times - Sports

Yet whereas she can still be oddly cagey over a question as harmless as: "If she had a daughter, would she recommend a parliamentary career to her?", on far more contentious subjects she can be dauntlessly frank.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as harmless as a", ensure that the comparison object (e.g., "kitten", "lamb") is widely understood to represent something gentle and non-threatening to maximize the simile's effectiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "as harmless as a" when describing situations that require a more nuanced understanding of potential risks. Overly simplistic comparisons can trivialize complex issues.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as harmless as a" functions as a simile, used to describe something by comparing it to another entity that is widely perceived as non-threatening. As confirmed by Ludwig, this structure is grammatically correct and easily usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as harmless as a" is a grammatically sound and neutrally-registered simile used to convey a sense of safety and lack of threat by comparing a subject to something universally recognized as benign. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and notes its frequent appearance in news and media. While not exceptionally common, the phrase is well-understood and effective in various communicative contexts, from reassuring descriptions to downplaying potential dangers. For greater nuance, alternatives like "as innocent as a" or "as safe as a" can be considered.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as innocent as a

Emphasizes lack of guilt or wrongdoing rather than physical harm.

as safe as a

Focuses on the absence of danger or risk.

as benign as a

Implies a gentle and non-threatening nature.

as inoffensive as a

Highlights the lack of potential to cause upset or disagreement.

as innocuous as a

Stresses the lack of harmful effects or consequences.

as gentle as a

Focuses on mildness and lack of force.

poses no threat

A more direct statement of lacking danger.

presents no danger

Similar to "poses no threat", but emphasizes the current situation.

cannot hurt a fly

An idiomatic expression emphasizing extreme gentleness.

as tame as a

Implies controlled behavior and lack of wildness.

FAQs

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

Use "as harmless as a" to compare something to something else that is widely known to be non-threatening. For example: "The kitten was as harmless as a lamb" or "The game seemed as harmless as a child's play."

What are some alternatives to "as harmless as a"?

You can use alternatives like "as innocent as a", "as safe as a", or "as benign as a" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as harmless as an"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to use "as harmless as an" before a noun that begins with a vowel sound. For instance, "as harmless as an apple core".

What is the difference between "as harmless as a" and "completely harmless"?

"As harmless as a" is a simile that compares something to something else known to be harmless, while "completely harmless" is a direct statement asserting the absence of any potential harm.