The phrase "like a" is perfectly acceptable in written English. You can use it to compare one thing to another. For example, "She sang like a professional."
We'd like a deluge".
Like a rabbit, not like a horse.
"It's like a horse".
Like a media person".
Like a chunk.
It's like a prison.
Like a witness.
Or like a god.
Sound like a bargain?
"More like a paintbrush".
Handsome like a prince?
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.
Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com