as sick as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as sick as" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in expressions to compare someone's health or condition to a certain degree of illness, often in a hyperbolic or idiomatic way. Example: "He felt as sick as a dog after eating that questionable food."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

" 'You're only as sick as your secrets'?

The New Yorker

"I felt as sick as he did".

The Guardian - Sport

As sick as she felt, she still finished fourth.

The New York Times - Sports

"I felt terrible, but I was nowhere near as sick as he was.

Stanford University

"Everybody in the show was just as sick as I was," he added.

The New York Times

But when you get as sick as he was, everything loses meaning".

The New York Times

They didn't suggest someone as sick as the woman who lay before him.

The New York Times

"His sense of humor may be as sick as mine," Lendl, 52, said.

The New York Times - Sports

Nowadays a woman as sick as your mama could live many years.

The New Yorker

I know fat male comedians who get just as sick as I do of the remarks.

The Guardian

"No one is as sick as I am," she complained, wobbling to her feet.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "as sick as", ensure the comparison is clear and relevant to the context. Avoid clichés unless aiming for a specific stylistic effect. Instead, try to follow with specific details about the sickness.

Common error

Avoid relying solely on clichés like "as sick as a dog" without considering if it truly enhances your writing. Overuse can diminish the impact and make your writing seem uninspired. Consider more descriptive or original comparisons to make your point more effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as sick as" functions primarily as a comparative expression, typically used to emphasize the intensity or degree of someone's illness by drawing a comparison. Ludwig shows that the phrase is widely used to express the severity of a condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as sick as" is a common comparative expression used to emphasize the severity of an illness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, avoiding clichés and providing specific details alongside the comparison can enhance the impact of your writing. Alternatives such as "extremely ill" or "gravely unwell" can be used depending on the desired level of formality. As Ludwig examples demonstrate, it's a useful phrase to convey the intensity of a health condition.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely ill

Focuses directly on the severe degree of illness, removing the comparative structure.

gravely unwell

Emphasizes the seriousness and negativity of the health condition.

seriously ailing

Highlights the ongoing and concerning state of declining health.

in very poor health

Broadly describes a negative state of health without a specific comparison.

suffering severely

Shifts focus to the experience of suffering, applicable beyond just physical illness.

affected badly by illness

Rephrases to focus on negative effect inflicted on the person's health.

debilitated by disease

Highlights the weakening impact of a disease.

not feeling well at all

A more understated way to express significant discomfort or sickness.

terribly under the weather

An idiomatic expression for feeling sick, replacing the direct comparison.

at death's door

An idiomatic expression to denote being close to death.

FAQs

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

You can use "as sick as" to compare the degree of someone's illness to something else, like in "He was "as sick as a dog"" or "She felt "as sick as she could ever remember"".

What are some alternatives to "as sick as"?

Alternatives include "extremely ill", "gravely unwell", or "seriously ailing". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "as sick as a parrot"?

While "as sick as a dog" is a common idiom, "as sick as a parrot" is not a standard English expression. Stick to more recognized phrases for clarity.

What's the difference between "as sick as" and "very ill"?

"As sick as" is a comparative phrase, often used with an idiom to emphasize the severity of the illness. "Very ill" is a straightforward description of someone's health status, lacking the comparative element.