as lean as a

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'as lean as a' is a valid expression in written English.
It is often used as a comparison to describe someone or something that is thin or trim. For example: "He had grown taller in the past year, but as lean as a rail."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Its Colonel is as lean as a compass-needle".

The Guardian

Tommy is in his fifties, and as lean as a mean joke.

The New Yorker

In that respect, for all its scale, it's as lean as a Clyde-built clipper.

The Guardian - Arts

The fact remains that, when you go into a Tesco superstore, the operation is as lean as a hare.

The Guardian - Business

Built like Robinho, as lean as a sparrow, he might conjure victory out of the air, or he might be a forlorn bystander wishing he could play.

The New York Times - Sports

"A shade over six feet, he was as lean as a racehorse.... His unshaven face was daubed red in war paint, its long chin etched with a diagonal scar.... His searing malachite green eyes scanned the bar with robotic precision.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

His drumming, on the other hand, was as lean as ever, a righteous marvel of concision and grit.

The New York Times - Arts

A special feed, executives say, creates pork as lean as chicken in a brand the company is taking national: Smithfield's Lean Generation Pork.

The New York Times

These recommendations are: to be as lean as possible within a healthy body weight; be physically active; limit energy dense food and drink; eat mostly foods of plant origin; limit red meat and avoid processed meat; limit salt; and aim to meet nutritional needs through diet alone [ 6].

BMC Public Health

A white rapper, heavily tattooed and as lean as jerky, he's a frisky performer, less about cool swagger than rowdy antics.

The New York Times - Arts

Make your film as lean as possible, but be a reasonable and ethical editor.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as lean as a", ensure the comparison is clear and relatable to your audience. For instance, "as lean as a greyhound" works well when describing someone's physique, while "as lean as a budget" suits financial contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "as lean as a" with objects or concepts that are not typically associated with thinness or efficiency. For example, saying "as lean as a cloud" would be confusing because clouds are not generally thought of as being lean.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "as lean as a" is to serve as a simile. It functions as an adjective phrase used for comparison, indicating that something possesses a similar degree of leanness or efficiency to the object of comparison. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase compares various subjects to things known for being lean.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as lean as a" is a simile used to describe something slender, efficient, or without excess. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct. It sees usage across different contexts, particularly in news, general writing, and scientific articles, and is considered to be of neutral formality. When using this phrase, make sure the comparison is relatable and avoids confusion. Alternatives like "as thin as a rail" or "as efficient as a laser" can provide similar emphasis depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as thin as a rail

Replaces 'lean' with 'thin' and uses a common image of extreme thinness.

as slender as a reed

Uses 'slender' for 'lean' and evokes an image of graceful thinness.

as trim as a fiddle

Employs 'trim' in place of 'lean', suggesting neatness and compactness.

as spare as a dime

Replaces 'lean' and offers a more abstract comparison to efficiency and lack of excess.

as gaunt as a ghost

Substitutes 'lean' with 'gaunt', highlighting a more severe and skeletal thinness.

as wiry as a whip

Uses 'wiry' instead of 'lean', emphasizing strength and resilience despite thinness.

as streamlined as a bullet

Highlights the concept of optimization and lack of unnecessary elements.

as efficient as a laser

Focuses on efficiency instead of physical thinness, applicable to processes or organizations.

as taut as a bowstring

Emphasizes tension and leanness as a result of being stretched tight.

as meager as a pittance

Emphasizes scarcity and lack of abundance, relevant in contexts of resources or budgets.

FAQs

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

Use "as lean as a" to compare something to an object known for its slenderness or efficiency. For instance, "The runner was "as lean as a marathoner"", or "The company's new budget was "as lean as possible"".

What are some synonyms for "as lean as a"?

Alternatives to "as lean as a" include "as thin as a rail", "as slender as a reed", or focusing on efficiency, "as efficient as a laser", depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "as lean as" when describing a process, or is it only for physical descriptions?

While often used for physical descriptions, "as lean as" can also describe processes or systems. For example, one can describe a business operation that minimizes waste and maximizes output as "as lean as possible".

What's the difference between "as lean as a" and "as efficient as a"?

"As lean as a" typically implies a lack of excess or fat, either literally or figuratively. "As efficient as a", on the other hand, focuses on optimal performance with minimal waste. While related, efficiency emphasizes functionality, whereas leanness emphasizes a lack of superfluous elements.