as hungry as a lion

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as hungry as a lion" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is extremely hungry, often in a figurative or exaggerated manner. Example: "After the long hike, I was as hungry as a lion and couldn't wait to eat a big meal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"He is as hungry as ever for success and a very driven man.

BBC

By then we were about as hungry as it is possible to be inside a restaurant.

The New York Times - Food

He's as hungry as he's ever been, but he's a gentleman as well".

BBC

It will take a concerted effort, but we are as hungry as ever.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm as hungry as you are.

The New Yorker

As hungry as the sky above him.

The Guardian

The kid has a heart as big as a lion.

The New York Times - Sports

He's got a heart as big as a lion.

The Guardian - Sport

He is as ferocious as a lion, in the body of a tabby cat.

Huffington Post

The righteous are as bold as a lion.

WikiHow

Steve Dolinsky remains as hungry a hound as ever.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance your writing, consider adding a descriptive element to the phrase. For example, "as hungry as a lion after a long hunt" paints a more vivid picture.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase too often in a single piece of writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and uninspired. Instead, vary your descriptions of hunger with more creative language.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as hungry as a lion" functions as a simile, used to describe a state of extreme hunger. This construction compares the level of hunger to the intense hunger associated with a lion. Ludwig AI states that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The simile "as hungry as a lion" is a grammatically correct and understandable way to describe extreme hunger. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it is important to note that it can be considered clichéd. The analysis reveals that this phrase functions primarily to emphasize the intensity of hunger. Its register is neutral to informal, making it suitable for everyday conversation, but potentially less appropriate for formal academic or professional writing. While the idiom is widely recognized, considering alternative expressions can add originality to your writing, as its frequency is currently missing in the analyzed dataset.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As hungry as a wolf

Changes the animal to another well-known for its voracious appetite.

Extremely hungry

Replaces the simile with a direct intensifier.

Ravenous

Uses a single word to convey intense hunger.

Famished

Another single word conveying extreme hunger, often implying a long period without food.

Peckish

Uses another single word to convey hunger.

Starving

A common synonym emphasizing a dire need for food.

As hungry as a bear

Switches the animal to one known for eating large quantities of food, especially before hibernation.

Having a massive craving

Shifts the focus to the intensity of the desire for food.

Incredibly hungry

Expresses hunger with an adjective of high intensity.

Could eat a horse

Replaces the phrase with another idiom indicating a large appetite.

FAQs

What does it mean to be "as hungry as a lion"?

It means to be extremely hungry, often to the point of being ravenous. The simile uses the image of a lion, a large predator, to emphasize the intensity of the hunger.

What can I say instead of "as hungry as a lion"?

You can use alternatives like "as hungry as a wolf", "ravenous", or "famished" depending on the context.

Is "as hungry as a lion" an idiom?

Yes, it is a simile, which is a type of idiom that compares two unlike things using "as" or "like". In this case, it compares a person's hunger to that of a lion.

Is it appropriate to use "as hungry as a lion" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, the phrase might be considered too informal or cliché for certain formal contexts. Consider using more precise or sophisticated language to describe hunger in academic or professional writing.