as . . . as

Idioms and Phrases

Also, so . . . as . Used with an adjective or adverb to show similarity or equality of one thing with another. The as . . . as construction appears in numerous similes, including the idioms as rich as Croesus, as big as life, as good as done . (In this book, when such idioms occur without the first as , they can be found under the adjective or adverb, rich as . . . ; big as . . . ; good as . . . ; etc.; those that do not, like as far as, as long as, as well as , are found at as below.) The construction so . . . as is often preferred in negative statements like I couldn't sleep, not so much as a wink , a usage dating from the 1200s. Also see as far as .