like a sack of rocks

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "like a sack of rocks" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is heavy, cumbersome, or difficult to move, often in a figurative sense. Example: "After the long hike, I felt like a sack of rocks, completely exhausted and unable to move."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It was cold and felt like a sack of rocks.

The New York Times

The problem, however, was quickly identified as my unwieldy eight-pound Compaq Presario laptop, an antique that had until then served me well despite the fact that it feels like a sack of rocks when you lug it through an airport.

The New York Times

"Both of those head wounds would be instantly fatal, which means the person would drop to the ground like a sack of rocks.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Lying in his bed in the Muslim hospital, his wounded leg pinioned by a sack of rocks, Mr. Marasabessy said: "Of course I have Christian friends.

The New York Times

If you donate to my Kickstarter, I'll tell you you're getting an iPad and send you a sack of rocks from Simon Hanselmann's backyard.

Vice

"It's like a sack of potatoes".

The New Yorker

Instead it dropped like a sack of fat spuds.

The Guardian - Sport

It "kind of makes them look like a sack of potatoes," he said.

The New York Times

Now they carry me like a sack of potatoes, which is really painful for me".

Independent

Also, I think, 'Christ, I look like a sack of shit'".

Independent

Plus, his "legs looked like a sack of walnuts," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "like a sack of rocks" to vividly describe a feeling of being weighed down, either physically or emotionally. It's most effective when emphasizing exhaustion or the burden of carrying something heavy.

Common error

Avoid using "like a sack of rocks" too frequently in your writing. While it can be effective, overuse can make your descriptions repetitive and less impactful. Vary your descriptive language to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "like a sack of rocks" functions as a simile, a figure of speech that directly compares two different things using "like" or "as". It vividly illustrates a state of being weighed down or burdened. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The simile "like a sack of rocks" is a vivid and informal way to describe the feeling of being extremely heavy, tired, or burdened. As Ludwig AI explains, it is grammatically correct and usable, though relatively rare in published writing. The phrase appears primarily in news and media contexts. For more formal writing, consider using more direct language, but for adding color and emphasis to casual conversation or creative writing, "like a sack of rocks" can be an effective choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

like a ton of bricks

Focuses more on the impact or suddenness of something heavy.

like dead weight

Emphasizes the lack of life or resistance in the object being described.

like a lead balloon

Highlights the inability to rise or succeed due to being heavy.

like a bag of hammers

Suggests awkwardness and unwieldiness in addition to heaviness.

like a stone

Emphasizes the solid, unyielding nature and heaviness.

like a log

Focuses on the immobility and heaviness of an object.

dropped like a stone

Highlights a rapid and sudden descent.

heavy as lead

Directly compares the weight to that of lead.

as heavy as can be

General description of extreme weight.

unwieldy and heavy

Directly states the characteristics of being difficult to handle and heavy.

FAQs

How can I use "like a sack of rocks" in a sentence?

You can use "like a sack of rocks" to describe something heavy, cumbersome, or someone feeling exhausted. For example: "After carrying the groceries, I felt "like a sack of rocks"."

What does it mean to feel "like a sack of rocks"?

Feeling "like a sack of rocks" means feeling extremely heavy, tired, and burdened, as if you are carrying a great weight.

What are some alternatives to saying "like a sack of rocks"?

Alternatives include "like a ton of bricks", "like dead weight", or simply saying someone feels extremely tired and heavy.

Is "like a sack of rocks" a formal expression?

No, "like a sack of rocks" is an informal expression. It's best used in casual conversation or creative writing rather than formal documents or academic papers.