Describing someone’s situation in a simple and relatable way helps us understand their struggles. In writing, similes can be a great way to show how poor someone is or how difficult their life might be. A simile is a comparison using “like” or “as,” which makes it easier to understand and picture someone’s hardships.
For example, saying someone is “as poor as a church mouse” gives a clear image of someone with very little. These comparisons help us connect to their feelings, making the story or poem more relatable. By using similes, writers can create vivid pictures of life and emotions, making the experience richer and more meaningful for readers.
Similes for Poor
1. As poor as a church mouse
Meaning: Very poor, having almost nothing
Samples: He was as poor as a church mouse, with hardly a penny to his name. / She lived as poor as a church mouse in a tiny, old apartment.
To Put it Another Way: He had very little. / She had nothing but the essentials.
2. As broke as a joke
Meaning: Completely out of money
Samples: After paying the rent, I’m as broke as a joke. / I spent everything I had and felt as broke as a joke.
To Put it Another Way: I have no money. / I’m financially drained.
3. As poor as dirt
Meaning: Extremely poor
Samples: They lived as poor as dirt in a rundown house. / His clothes were as poor as dirt, tattered and old.
To Put it Another Way: They had nothing. / His clothes were in very bad condition.
4. As penniless as a beggar
Meaning: Without any money, completely broke
Samples: He was as penniless as a beggar, asking for work. / She sat there as penniless as a beggar, waiting for some help.
To Put it Another Way: He had no money at all. / She was completely destitute.
5. As poor as a pauper
Meaning: Having nothing or very little money
Samples: After the accident, they were as poor as a pauper, struggling to get by. / He’s as poor as a pauper, living paycheck to paycheck.
To Put it Another Way: He barely had anything. / They lived with almost nothing.
6. As broke as a rusty nail
Meaning: Completely broke or poor
Samples: I can’t even buy lunch, I’m as broke as a rusty nail. / He was as broke as a rusty nail after paying all the bills.
To Put it Another Way: I have no money left. / He’s got nothing after his expenses.
7. As poor as a rat in a trap
Meaning: Extremely poor, with no resources or help
Samples: They lived as poor as a rat in a trap, barely scraping by. / Without a job, I feel as poor as a rat in a trap.
To Put it Another Way: They had nothing left. / I’m stuck with no way out.
8. As thin as a scarecrow
Meaning: Very poor, often used to describe someone who lacks enough food
Samples: After weeks of not eating properly, he was as thin as a scarecrow. / She looked as thin as a scarecrow after months of poverty.
To Put it Another Way: She was very skinny. / He didn’t have enough to eat.
9. As hungry as a wolf
Meaning: Very hungry due to lack of food
Samples: After working all day, I was as hungry as a wolf. / He was as hungry as a wolf, with nothing to eat.
To Put it Another Way: I was starving. / He hadn’t eaten in a long time.
10. As empty as a dry well
Meaning: Having nothing, especially in terms of resources or money
Samples: His pockets were as empty as a dry well. / She felt as empty as a dry well after losing everything.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing left. / She was completely drained.
11. As poor as a street urchin
Meaning: Extremely poor, typically living on the streets
Samples: He was as poor as a street urchin, wandering around with no home. / She lived as poor as a street urchin, begging for food.
To Put it Another Way: He had no home. / She had to beg for survival.
12. As empty as a tin can
Meaning: Lacking anything, especially resources or food
Samples: After paying for the bills, his bank account was as empty as a tin can. / Her stomach was as empty as a tin can after days without food.
To Put it Another Way: His account had nothing. / She hadn’t eaten in days.
13. As poor as a barefoot pilgrim
Meaning: Very poor, with nothing to your name
Samples: They were as poor as a barefoot pilgrim, traveling with nothing but the clothes on their backs. / He arrived as poor as a barefoot pilgrim, with no money or shoes.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing but the basics. / She had barely anything.
14. As broke as the bank of a broken well
Meaning: Completely without money or resources
Samples: After the failed business, he was as broke as the bank of a broken well. / She was as broke as the bank of a broken well after spending all her savings.
To Put it Another Way: She had no money left. / He was financially ruined.
15. As destitute as a ghost
Meaning: Without money, food, or support
Samples: After the accident, he was as destitute as a ghost, wandering with no place to go. / She was as destitute as a ghost, with no one to help her.
To Put it Another Way: He was completely alone and poor. / She had no support at all.
16. As hungry as a bear in winter
Meaning: Extremely hungry, particularly when food is scarce
Samples: After being on the streets for days, he was as hungry as a bear in winter. / She was as hungry as a bear in winter, looking for anything to eat.
To Put it Another Way: He was starving. / She hadn’t had a meal in days.
17. As poor as a dust bunny
Meaning: Extremely poor, often used in a casual or humorous way
Samples: They lived as poor as a dust bunny, always scraping by. / The family was as poor as a dust bunny, struggling to make ends meet.
To Put it Another Way: They had nothing. / They were barely surviving.
18. As ragged as a torn flag
Meaning: In very poor condition, often used to describe someone’s appearance
Samples: He looked as ragged as a torn flag, with clothes in tatters. / Her shoes were as ragged as a torn flag.
To Put it Another Way: His clothes were falling apart. / Her shoes were old and worn out.
19. As poor as the dirt beneath your feet
Meaning: Very poor, with no material wealth
Samples: They lived as poor as the dirt beneath your feet, without any luxuries. / His pockets were as empty as the dirt beneath your feet.
To Put it Another Way: They had nothing to their name. / He couldn’t afford anything.
20. As broke as a dried-up riverbed
Meaning: Completely out of money or resources
Samples: After the failed project, he was as broke as a dried-up riverbed. / She felt as broke as a dried-up riverbed, with no savings left.
To Put it Another Way: She had nothing to work with. / He was financially drained.
21. As poor as a shadow
Meaning: Lacking everything, with nothing to show for oneself
Samples: After losing his job, he was as poor as a shadow, with nothing left. / She felt as poor as a shadow, constantly struggling.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing. / She lived without possessions.
22. As thin as a threadbare blanket
Meaning: Very poor or in poor condition
Samples: His jacket was as thin as a threadbare blanket, barely covering him. / The roof was as thin as a threadbare blanket, leaking with every rain.
To Put it Another Way: His jacket was worn out. / The roof was barely holding up.
23. As poor as a falling star
Meaning: Very poor, like something that fades away
Samples: He was as poor as a falling star, with no real future in sight. / Her dreams were as poor as a falling star, fading out of reach.
To Put it Another Way: He had no hope left. / Her dreams were distant and unattainable.
24. As poor as the grave
Meaning: Without anything, as if lost to time
Samples: The family lived as poor as the grave, with barely enough to eat. / He was as poor as the grave, having lost everything.
To Put it Another Way: They had nothing left. / He felt like he had nothing to live for.
25. As poor as a stray dog
Meaning: Living with no shelter or resources
Samples: After being kicked out, he was as poor as a stray dog, wandering the streets. / She felt as poor as a stray dog, with no place to call home.
To Put it Another Way: He had no home. / She was living without any support.
26. As poor as the poorest king
Meaning: Having little, even in comparison to someone who should have wealth
Samples: He was as poor as the poorest king, with only a few coins to his name. / She felt as poor as the poorest king, having lost everything she owned.
To Put it Another Way: He barely had anything. / She had nothing despite her efforts.
27. As lost as a penny in a fountain
Meaning: Feeling totally lost or without resources
Samples: After his company went under, he felt as lost as a penny in a fountain. / She felt as lost as a penny in a fountain, with no direction.
To Put it Another Way: He felt hopeless. / She had no idea where to go next.
28. As poor as a neglected garden
Meaning: Lacking care or resources, like a garden that is not tended to
Samples: The house was as poor as a neglected garden, run down and forgotten. / Her savings were as poor as a neglected garden, overgrown with debt.
To Put it Another Way: The house was in poor condition. / Her savings were wiped out.
29. As starving as a crow
Meaning: Extremely hungry and poor, scavenging for food
Samples: He was as starving as a crow, rummaging through garbage. / She felt as starving as a crow, looking for something to eat.
To Put it Another Way: He was desperate for food. / She couldn’t find anything to eat.
30. As poor as a whisper in the wind
Meaning: Almost nonexistent, with nothing left
Samples: After the business closed, he was as poor as a whisper in the wind. / She was as poor as a whisper in the wind, gone from people’s minds.
To Put it Another Way: He was completely forgotten. / She had no presence left.
31. As poor as an empty cupboard
Meaning: Having nothing, with no resources left
Samples: Their kitchen was as poor as an empty cupboard, with no food to eat. / His wallet was as poor as an empty cupboard.
To Put it Another Way: They had no food. / His wallet had no money.
32. As poor as a half-baked loaf
Meaning: Incomplete or lacking in resources
Samples: She was as poor as a half-baked loaf, trying to make do with what little she had. / His plans were as poor as a half-baked loaf, unfinished and weak.
To Put it Another Way: She was struggling to get by. / His plans lacked substance.
33. As poor as a cloud without rain
Meaning: Present but unable to give or provide anything
Samples: He was as poor as a cloud without rain, just floating by with nothing to give. / Her pockets were as poor as a cloud without rain, dry and empty.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing to offer. / She had no money at all.
34. As poor as a tattered coat
Meaning: Worn out, barely functional
Samples: His shoes were as poor as a tattered coat, patched up and falling apart. / She looked as poor as a tattered coat, with clothes that were falling apart.
To Put it Another Way: His clothes were in disrepair. / She was dressed in ragged clothes.
35. As empty as a hollow tree
Meaning: Lacking everything, feeling completely empty
Samples: His pockets were as empty as a hollow tree, with nothing left to give. / She felt as empty as a hollow tree, without love or money.
To Put it Another Way: He had no money. / She felt emotionally drained.
36. As poor as a rainless desert
Meaning: Completely lacking in resources or sustenance
Samples: His bank account was as poor as a rainless desert, with nothing growing in it. / She felt as poor as a rainless desert, parched and empty.
To Put it Another Way: His account was empty. / She was struggling to survive.
37. As poor as a broken watch
Meaning: Useless or worthless, with no value
Samples: His plans were as poor as a broken watch, ticking but not going anywhere. / Her situation was as poor as a broken watch, stuck and useless.
To Put it Another Way: His plans were failing. / She felt stuck and unable to move forward.
38. As poor as an abandoned house
Meaning: Left with nothing, neglected
Samples: He lived as poor as an abandoned house, with no furniture and no warmth. / Her finances were as poor as an abandoned house, cold and empty.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing left. / Her savings were gone.
39. As poor as a crumpled note
Meaning: Ruined or worn out, with nothing left of value
Samples: His reputation was as poor as a crumpled note, torn and forgotten. / The contract was as poor as a crumpled note, discarded and useless.
To Put it Another Way: He had no respect left. / The agreement was worthless.
40. As poor as a smudged paper
Meaning: Messed up and lacking clarity or value
Samples: The deal was as poor as a smudged paper, unclear and meaningless. / His handwriting was as poor as a smudged paper, difficult to read.
To Put it Another Way: The deal was weak. / His writing was unreadable.
41. As poor as a forgotten coin
Meaning: Neglected and of little worth
Samples: She felt as poor as a forgotten coin, left in the bottom of a drawer. / His efforts were as poor as a forgotten coin, unnoticed and ignored.
To Put it Another Way: She was overlooked. / His work went unappreciated.
42. As poor as a faded photograph
Meaning: Losing value, worn down
Samples: His dreams were as poor as a faded photograph, losing their color. / The memories were as poor as a faded photograph, blurry and distant.
To Put it Another Way: His dreams lost meaning. / The past seemed far away.
43. As poor as a ruined garden
Meaning: Destroyed or left in poor condition
Samples: Their hopes were as poor as a ruined garden, nothing but weeds now. / The town felt as poor as a ruined garden, neglected and barren.
To Put it Another Way: Their dreams were crushed. / The town was left behind.
44. As poor as an empty bowl
Meaning: Lacking everything, especially nourishment
Samples: He was as poor as an empty bowl, nothing to eat. / Her life felt as poor as an empty bowl, devoid of meaning.
To Put it Another Way: He had nothing to survive on. / She felt empty inside.
45. As poor as a cracked vase
Meaning: Fragile and incomplete, with little value
Samples: His savings were as poor as a cracked vase, shattered and broken. / Her spirit was as poor as a cracked vase, fragile and incomplete.
To Put it Another Way: His funds were depleted. / She felt broken inside.
46. As poor as a forgotten dream
Meaning: Forgotten and unimportant
Samples: The idea was as poor as a forgotten dream, lost in time. / His ambition was as poor as a forgotten dream, fading away.
To Put it Another Way: The idea was irrelevant. / His goals were slipping away.
47. As poor as an empty wallet
Meaning: Having nothing, particularly money
Samples: He was as poor as an empty wallet, with no cash to buy food. / She felt as poor as an empty wallet, unable to pay the bills.
To Put it Another Way: He had no money left. / She was financially drained.
48. As poor as an abandoned ship
Meaning: Left with nothing, abandoned
Samples: His dreams were as poor as an abandoned ship, stranded on a deserted shore. / The city felt as poor as an abandoned ship, left to rot.
To Put it Another Way: His dreams were lost. / The city was abandoned.
49. As poor as a cracked teacup
Meaning: Broken or damaged, no longer valuable
Samples: She felt as poor as a cracked teacup, fragile and broken. / His confidence was as poor as a cracked teacup, shattered into pieces.
To Put it Another Way: She was emotionally fragile. / He had lost all confidence.
50. As poor as a rainy day without an umbrella
Meaning: Vulnerable and unprepared for the difficulties of life
Samples: He felt as poor as a rainy day without an umbrella, exposed and helpless. / She was as poor as a rainy day without an umbrella, soaked in misery.
To Put it Another Way: He was defenseless. / She felt overwhelmed by her circumstances.
Find the Topics: Similes for Poor
Reading Passage: “A Struggle for Survival”
Jason sat on the sidewalk, feeling as poor as a church mouse. His pockets were as empty as a tin can, and he had nothing left to eat. The sun beat down on him, as hot as the sun, making him feel even more exhausted. His shoes were as ragged as a torn flag, barely holding up.
He had been looking for work all week but was as poor as a beggar, with no luck. His hope was as empty as a dry well, and he felt like a shadow, lost and invisible. He hadn’t eaten in two days and was as hungry as a wolf, searching for anything to fill his stomach.
Jason’s thoughts were as scattered as a broken clock, with no clear direction. The world around him seemed as cold as ice, and his spirit felt as fragile as a smudged paper. He wished he could turn his life around, but right now, he was as poor as a rainless desert, with no way to escape his struggles.
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 12 similes for poor used in this story?
Answer Key
- As poor as a church mouse
- As empty as a tin can
- As hot as the sun
- As ragged as a torn flag
- As poor as a beggar
- As empty as a dry well
- As hungry as a wolf
- As scattered as a broken clock
- As cold as ice
- As fragile as a smudged paper
- As poor as a rainless desert
- As lost as a shadow
Conclusion
Similes are effective in painting vivid pictures and describing hardships in a relatable way. In this passage, similes help us understand Jason’s poverty and struggles. By using comparisons like “as poor as a church mouse” or “as hungry as a wolf,” we can clearly imagine his difficult situation. These similes make the story more emotional, allowing the reader to connect deeply with the character’s feelings of hopelessness and desperation.
