Similes

SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) A-B

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua
(Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

A | B

A
Chomh hamh le taos	As raw as dough amh=raw/uncooked, taos=dough/paste
Chomh haibí le huan	As frisky as a lamb (i.e., As fresh as a daisy) aibí=quick/nimble, uan=lamb
Chomh haibí le spideog	As frisky as a robin (i.e., As fresh as a daisy) aibí=quick/nimble, spideog=robin
Chomh haerach le druid	As light-hearted/chirpy as a starling aerach=light-hearted/chirpy, druid=starling
Chomh haerach le meannán	As light-hearted/chirpy as a kid (goat) aerach=light-hearted/chirpy, meannán=kid(goat)
Chomh haerach le rí	As light-hearted/cheerful as a king aerach=light-hearted/cheerful, rí=king
Chomh haosta le tor	As old as a bush aosta=old/aged, tor=bush
Chomh haosta leis an gceo	As old as the mist aosta=old/aged, ceo=mist/fog
Chomh haraiciseach le meannán ráithe	As hasty/short-tempered as a three-month-old kid araiciseach=hasty/short-tempered, meannán=goat/kid, ráithe=season/three
Chomh hard le binn an tí	As high as the gable of the house ard=high, binn=gable
Chomh hard le dhá hata	As high as two hats dhá=two, hata=hat
Chomh hard leis an spéir	As high as the sky Irish Bible ard=high, spéir=sky
Chomh hard leis an iolar	As high as the eagle Irish Bible ard=high, iolar=eagle
Chomh ata le frog sa bhfómhar	As swollen as a frog in the autumn ata=swollen, fómhar=autumn

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B
Chomh balbh le cloch	As dumb as a stone balbh=dumb/mute, cloch=stone
Chomh balbh le trumpa gan teanga	As dumb as a trumpet without a tongue balbh=dumb/mute, trumpa=trumpet, teanga=tonge
Chomh bán le mo léine	As white as my shirt (ex., of someone ill) bán=white, léine=shirt
Chomh bán le bainne	As white as milk (impersonal) bán=white, bainne=milk
Chomh baoth le lao na bó	As foolish as the cow’s calf baoth=foolish, lao=calf
Chomh beag le dreoilín	As small as a wren beag=small, dreoilín=wren
Chomh beag le luch fhéir	As small as a field mouse beag=small, luch=mouse
Chomh beannaithe leis an sagart	As blessed/holy as the priest beannaithe=holy/blessed, sagart=priest
Chomh beannaithe le naomh	As blessed/holy as a saint beannaithe=holy/blessed, naomh=saint
Chomh beathaithe le broc	As well-fed (plump) as a badger beathaithe=well-fed/plump, broc=badger
Chomh beo le h-easóg	As lively as a weasel beo=lively/live, easóg=weasel
Chomh beo le sionnach	As lively as a fox This is a simile from the Old-Irish period) beo=alive, sionnach=fox
Chomh beo leis an dtine	As lively as the fire beo=lively/live, tine=fire
Chomh binn leis an fhuiseog	As sweet as a lark binn=sweet, fuiseog=lark
Chomh binn le smóilín	As sweet as a thrush binn=sweet, smóilín=diminuative of smólach, thrush
Chomh binn le ceol na n-éan	As sweet as the music of the birds binn=sweet (sound), ceol=music, éan=bird
Chomh bocht leis an deoir	As poor as the drop bocht=poor, deoir=drop
Chomh bocht le bairneach	As poor as a limpet bocht=poor, bairneach=limpet
Chomh bodhar le slis	As deaf as a chip/sliver bodhar=deaf, slis=chip/sliver
Chomh bodhar le cloch	As deaf as a stone bodhar=deaf, cloch=chip/sliver
Chomh bog le bogán	As soft as an egg without it’s shell bog=soft, bogán=boiled egg without it’s shell
Chomh bog le him	As soft as butter bog=soft, im=butter
Chomh breabhsánta le glasóg	As sprightly as a wagtail breabhsánta=sprightly, glasóg=wagtail, a small active bird
Chomh bréagach le táilliúir	As false/flattering as a tailor bréagach=false/flattering, táilliúir=tailor
Chomh bréan le pluais an mhada rua	As foul/putrid as a fox’s cave bréan=foul/putrid, pluais=cave, mada rua=fox
Chomh buan leis na flaithis	As lasting as heaven (Irish Bible) buan=lasting, flaithis=heaven
Chomh buan le neamh	As lasting as heaven (Irish Bible) buan=lasting, neamh=heaven
Chomh buí le buachalán	As yellow as ragwort (Irish Bible) buí=yellow, buachalán=ragwort
Chomh buí le hór	As yellow as gold (This is a simile from the Old-Irish period) buí=yellow, ór=gold

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SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) C-D

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua
(Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

C | D

C
Chomh cabach le giofóg	As “gabby”/loquacious as a gypsy cabach=babbling/talkative, giofóg=gypsy
Chomh caite le scian fheamainne	As worn/thin/emaciated as a stalk of seaweed (Said of a person after illness or hunger) caite=worn/emaciated, scian fheamainne=stalk of seaweed after it’s leaf is worn away
Chomh caite le cú	As thin as a hound caite=thin/worn/emaciated, cú=hound
Chomh caite le coinlín	As worn/wizened as a cut corn-stalk (Said of an old person’s fingers. Ex., “Bhí a méara chomh caite le coinlí.”) caite=worn/wizened, coinlín=cut corn-stalks/stubble
Chomh calma le Fionn Mac Cumhaill	As brave as Fion Mac Cumhaill calma=brave, Fionn Mac Cumhaill=legendary leader of the Fianna
Chomh cam le hadharc reithe	As crooked as a ram’s horn cam=crooked, reithe=ram
Chomh cam le tuar ceatha	As crooked/bent as a rainbow (Literally, portent of a shower) cam=crooked, tuar ceatha=rainbow
Chomh cam le cos deiridh an mhadra	As crooked as a dog’s hind leg cam=crooked, cos=leg, deireadh=end, madra=dog
Chomh cantalach le mála easóg	As bad-tempered as a bag of weasels cantalach=bad-tempered, mála=bag, easóg=weasel
Chomh caoch le smután	As blind as a stump caoch=blind, smután=stump
Chomh caoch le cearc	As blind as a hen caoch=blind, cearc=hen
Chomh caol le cú	As slender as a greyhound caol=slender cú=greyhound
Chomh cas le carr cruite	As curly as the shaft of a harp (This is a simile from the Old-Irish period referring to a person’s hair) cas=curly/winding, carr=an old word meaning a shaft, cruit=harp
Chomh casta le duisín snáith	As complicated as a hank of yarn casta=complicated, duisín=hank/length, snáth=thread/yarn
Chomh casta le hadharc gabhair	As twisted/complicated as a goat’s horn casta=twisted/complicated, adharc=horn, gabhar=goat
Chomh ceanndána le muc	As stubborn as a pig ceanndána=stubborn muc=pig
Chomh ceanndána le bodóg stailceach	As stubborn as a sulky heifer (Irish Bible) ceanndána=stubborn, bodóg=heifer, stailceach=sulky
Chomh céasta le scadán rósta	As tormented as a roasted herring céasta=tormented, scadán=herring
Chomh ciallmhar le Solamh	As sensible as Solomon ciallmhar=sensible, Solamh=Solomon (Biblical king)
Chomh cinnte is a ndearna Dia fataí beaga	As sure as God made little potatoes cinnte=sure/certain, fataí=potatoes
Chomh cinnte is a leanann boige earraigh cuisne geimhridh	As certain as spring softness follows winter ice cinnte=sure/certain, earrach=spring, geimhreadh=winter
Chomh cinnte is atá cros ar asal	As certain as there is cross on a donkey cinnte=sure,certain, cros=cross, asal=donkey
Chomh cinnte le breacadh an lae	As certain as the dawn cinnte=sure/certain, breacadh an lae=dawn
Chomh cinnte le sioc	As certain as frost cinnte=sure/certain, sioc=frost
Chomh ciúin le linn	As quiet as a pool ciúin=quiet, linn=pool
Chomh ciúin leis an reilg	As quiet as the graveyard ciúin=quiet, reilg=graveyard
Chomh ciúin leis an uaigh	As quiet as the grave ciúin=quiet, uaigh=grave
Chomh clúdaithe le poll fataí	As well covered as a potato hole (clamp) clúdaithe=covered, poll fataí=potato hole for storing potatoes in the ground
Chomh cnaptha le gráinneog	As rolled up/in a lump as a hedgehog cnaptha=rolled up, gráinneog=hedgehog
Chomh cneasta le sagart	As decent as a priest cneasta=decent/nice, sagart=priest
Chomh colgach le heasóg	As angry/bristling as a weasel colgach=angry/bristling, easóg=weasel
Chomh corrthónach le cearc ar ghreideall	As fidgety as a hen on a griddle corrthó=fidgety, cearc=hen, greideall=griddle
Chomh corrthónach leis an ngaoth Mhárta	As fidgety as the March wind corrthónach=fidgety, gaoth=wind, Márta=month of March
Chomh críonna leis na cait	As wise as the cats críonna=wise/old (age and wisdom are regarded as synonymous)
Chomh crosta le cat fiáin	As cross as a wild cat crosta=cross, cat=cat, fiáin=wild
Chomh crua le cloch	As hard as a stone crua=hard, cloch=stone
Chomh cruachroíach le hostraisí an fhásaigh	As hard-hearted as the ostriches of the desert (Irish Bible) cruachroíach=hard-hearted, ostrais=ostrich, fásach=desert
Chomh cruinn le liathróid	As round as a ball cruinn=round, liathróid=ball
Chomh cruinn le hubh loin	As round as a bird’s egg (Said of a person’s eyes; from the Old-Irish period) cruinn=round, lon=bird (particularly a blackbird)
Chomh cúlánta le cailín	As shy as a girl cúlánta=shy, cailín=girl

D
Chomh daibhir le daol dubh	As poor as a beetle (i.e., as poor as a churchmouse) daibhir=poor, daol dubh=black beetle
Chomh dáigh le diamaint	As unyielding as a diamond (Irish Bible) dáigh=obstinate/unyielding, diamaint=diamond
Chomh daingean le bun crainn	As firm as the base of a tree daingean=firm/solid, bun=base, crann=tree
Chomh dall le bonn do bhróige	As blind as the sole of your shoe dall=blind, bróg=shoe
Chomh dall le cearc san oíche	As blind as a hen in the night (Said of people who find themselves suddenly in the dark) dall=blind, cearc=hen, oíche=night
Chomh dána le muc	As bold as a pig dána=bold, muc=pig
Chomh dána leis an diabhal	As bold as the devil dána=bold, diabhal=devil
Chomh daor le h-im na Fraince	As dear as French butter (A simile that was coined in Co. Down in the 18th Century) daor=dear/expensive, im=butter, an Fhrainc=France
Chomh dealraitheach le solas na gréine	As respendent as the sun dealraitheach= resplendent, solas na gréine=light of the sun
Chomh dealraitheach lena athrach	As likely as not dealraitheach=likely/resplendent, athrach=change/alternative
Chomh dearg le caor	As red as a berry dearg=red, caor=berry
Chomh dearg le fuil	As red as blood dearg=red, fuil=blood
Chomh dearg leis an rós	As red as the rose dearg=red, rós=rose
Chomh dearmadach leis an Diabhal	As forgetful as the Devil dearmadach=forgetful, Diabhal=Devil
Chomh deas le bláth bealtaine	As nice/lovely as a May flower deas=nice, bláth=flower, Bealtaine=May
Chomh deilgneach le gráinneog	As prickly as a hedgehog deilgneach=prickly, gráinneog=hedgehog
Chomh díbhirceach le beach	As ardent/eager as a bee díbhirceach=industrious, beach=bee
Chomh dícheallach leis na beacha	As eager/industrious as a bee dícheallach=doing one’s best, beach=bee
Chomh díomhaoin le damh san eadra	As idle as an ox (male) at the midday milking díomhaoin=idle, eadra=midday milking
Chomh díomhaoin le ladhraicín an phíobaire	As idle as a piper’s little finger díomhaoin=idle, ladhraicín=little finger
Chomh díonmhar le buidéal	As watertight as a bottle díonmhar=waterproof, buidéal=bottle
Chomh díreach le bradán i lár na habhann	As straight as a salmon in the middle of the river díreach=straight, bradán=salmon, lár=middle, abha=river
Chomh díreach le coinneall	As straight as a candle díreach=straight, coinneall=candle
Chomh díreach le feag	As straight as a rush díreach=straight, feag=rush
Chomh díreach le riail	As straight as a ruler díreach=straight, riail= ruler
Chomh díreach le slat	As straight as a rod díreach=straight, slat=(ram)rod
Chomh díscréideach le bosca na faoistine	As discreet as the confession box díscréideach=discreet, bosca=box, faoistin=confession
Chomh dócha lena athrach	As likely as not dócha=likely, athrach=change/alternative
Chomh domhain leis an fharraige	As deep as the sea domhain=deep, farraige=sea
Chomh donnbhuí le cnó capall	As yellow-brown as a chestnut (Expression commenting on a tanned appearance. Ex., “Bhí a chraiceann chomh donnbhuí le cnó capall.” Irish forms new colors by combining existing ones.) donn=brown, buí=yellow, cnó capall=chestnut
Chomh doshásaithe leis an mbás	As insatiable as death (Irish Bible) doshásaithe=insatiable, bás=death
Chomh dubh le cleite an fhéich	As black as the raven’s feather dubh=black, cleite=feather, fiach=raven
Chomh dubh le pic	As black as pitch dubh=black, pic=pitch
Chomh dubh leis a mbás	As black as death (Old-Irish period) dubh=black, bás=death
Chomh dubh leis an daol	As black as a beetle dubh=black, daol=beetle
Chomh dubh leis an tsúiche	As black as soot dubh=black, súiche=soot
Chomh dúr doicheallach le colúr céileachais a mbeadh cochall air le ceann dá threibh	As dour/churlish as a courting pigeon whose hackles were up with with one of his own tribe dúr=obstinate/dour, doicheallach=unhospitable, colúr=pigeon, céileachas=courting, cochall=hackles, treibh=tribe
Chomh dúr le hasal	As obstinate as an ass dúr=obstinate, asal=ass
Chomh dúr le slis	As stupid as a chip dúr=stupid/obstinate, slis=chip/slice

SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) E-F

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua (Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

E | F

E
Chomh héadrom le cleite	As light as a feather éadrom=light, cleite=feather
Chomh héadrom le sop	As light as a straw éadrom=light, sop=wisp of straw
Chomh héadrom le lon ar sceach	As light as a blackbird on a thornbush éadrom=light, lon=bird/blackbird, sceach=thornbush/bramble
Chomh éagánta le cearc	As stupid as a hen éagánta=stupid/silly, cearc=hen
Chomh héasca le meannán	As agile/”easy” as a kid (young goat) éadrom=agile/light, meannán=kid

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F
Chomh fada le Domhnach fliuch	As long as a wet Sunday fada=long, Domhnach=Sunday
Chomh fada le mo lámh	As long as my arm fada=long lámh=hand
Chomh fadálach le meánlae mall	As tedious as a slow midday fadálach=tedious, meánlae=midday, mall=slow/late
Chomh fairsing le féar	As plentiful as grass fairsing=plentiful, féar=grass
Chomh fairsing le gaineamh an trá	As plentiful as the sand of the beach fairsing=plentiful, gaineamh=sand, trá=beach
Chomh fairsing le móin	As plentiful as turf fairsing=plentiful, móin=turf
Chomh fairsing le míoltóga san fhómhair	As numerous/plentiful as midges in the Autumn fairsing=plentiful, míoltóga=midges, fómhar=autumn
Chomh faiteach le coinín	As timid as a rabbit faiteach=timid, coinín=rabbit
Chomh falsa le hasal	As lazy as a donkey falsa=lazy, asal=ass/donkey
Chomh fealltach le Sasanach	As treacherous as an Englishman fealltach=treacherous, Sasanach=English person
Chomh fiáin le fia na mbeann	As wild/untamed as the deer of the mountains fiáin=wild/untamed, fia=deer, beann=maountain/peak
Chomh fíor leis an tSoiscéal	As true as the Gospel fíor=true, soiscéal=Gospel
Chomh foighneach le cat	As patient as a cat foighneach=patient, cat=cat
Chomh foighneach le Iób	As patient as Job foighneach=patient, Iób=Job
Chomh folamh le sac	As empty as a sack folamh=empty, sac=sack
Chomh folláin le breac	As healthy as a trout folláin=healthy, breac=trout
Chomh frithir le driseog	As abrasive (of personality) as a thorn-bush frithir=tearing, driseog=thorn-bush
Chomh fuar le sioc	As cold as frost fuar=cold, sioc=frost
Chomh fuar leis an éag	As cold as death (deadly cold) fuar=cold, éag=death
Chomh fuar leis an mbás	As cold as death fuar=cold, bás=death

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SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) G-I

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua
(Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

G | I

G
Chomh gann le hairgead	As scarce as money gann=scarce, airgead=money
Chomh gann le sméara i mBealtaine	As scarce as berries in May gann=scarce, Bealtaine=month of May
Chomh garbh le coirt crann darach	As rough as the bark of an oak tree garbh=rough, coirt=bark, dair=oak (darach in the genitive)
Chomh gasta le cú	As quick as a hound gasta=quick, cú=hound
Chomh gasta le gaoth Mhárta	As quick as a March wind gasta=quick, gaoth=wind, Márta=month of March
Chomh geal le cailc	As white as chalk (Said of someone after fright, etc.) geal=bright/white, cailc=chalk
Chomh geal le canach an tsléibhe	As white as bog cotton geal=white/bright, canach an tsléibhe=bog cotton
Chomh geal le cúr sceite	As bright as blown froth geal=bright/white, cúr=froth/foam, sceite=blown
Chomh geal le sneachta	As white as snow (Irish Bible) geal=bright/white, sneachta=snow
Chomh geal le táth lín	As white as a tuft of lint geal=white/bright, táth=tuft/bunch, lín=lint/flax
Chomh geal leis an lil	As bright as a lily geal=bright/white, lil=lily
Chomh géar le bó mhaol	As sharp as a hornless cow (i.e., blunt) géar=sharp, bó=cow, maol=bald/hornless
Chomh géar le nimh	As sharp as poison géar=sharp, nimh=poison
Chomh géar le snáthaid	As sharp as a needle géar=sharp, snáthaid=needle
Chomh géar le súil chailín i lár cuideachtain	As sharp as the eye of a girl in the middle of a gathering géar=sharp, súil=eye, cailín=girl, cuideachta=gathering/amusement
Chomh géarchúiseach le nathair nimhe	As “wise”/astute as a serpent (Irish Bible) géarchúisteach=astute, nathair=snake, nimh=poison
Chomh géarradharcach le gainéad	As sharpeyed as a gannet géarradharcach=sharpeyed, gainéad=gannet
Chomh glan le criostal	As clean as crystal glan-clean, criostal=crystal
Chomh glan le fíoruisce	As clean as springwater glan=clean, fíoruisce=springwater
Chomh glan le sagart	As innocent as a priest (In this case, glan means not guilty=clear) glan=innocent (not guilty), sagart=priest
Chomh glan le scilling	As clean/clear as a shilling glan=clean/clear, scilling=schilling
Chomh glan le h-úll	As clean as an apple glan=clean, úll=apple
Chomh glan ó mhilleán le haingeal ó Dhia	As clear of guilt as an angel of God (Irish Bible) glan=clear/clean, milleán=guilt/blame
Chomh glas le bun cuilinn	As green as a holly stump (Old-Irish period) glas=green, bun=stump/stock, cuileann=holly
Chomh glas le féar	As green as grass glas=green, féar=grass
Chomh glas le geamhar	As green as a springing shoot glas=féar, geamhar=springing shoot
Chomh glas le spíonán/spÍonóg	As green as Gooseberry glas=green, spíonán/spíonóg=Gooseberry
Chomh glégeal leis an solas	As brilliant as the light (Irish Bible) glégeal=pure white/brilliant, solas=light
Chomh glórach le cearc ghoir	As noisy/vociferous as a broody hen glórach=noisy/vociferous, cearc ghoir=broody hen
Chomh gnóthach le lúidín an phíobaire	As busy as the piper’s little finger (ironical, not busy at all) gnóthach=busy, lúidín=little finger, píobaire=piper
Chomh goirt le sáile	As salty as sea water goirt=salty, sáile=sea water
Chomh gorm le plúirín	As blue as a bluebell gorm=blue, plúirín=bluebell
Chomh gránna leis an diabhal	As ugly as the Devil gránna=ugly, diabhal=Devil
Chomh greamaithe le bairneach den chloch	As stuck as a limpet to the rock greamaithe=stuck, bairneach=limpet, cloch=rock
Chomh guagach leis an ngealach	As fickle as the moon (Irish Bible) guagach=fickle, gealach=moon

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I
Chomh hiomadúil leis an dreoilín teaspaigh	As numerous as the grasshoppers (Irish Bible) iomadúil=numerous, dreoilín teaspaigh=grasshopper
Chomh hiontach le sneachta dearg	As wonderful/strange as red snow iontach=wonderful/surprising, sneachta=snow, dearg=red
Chomh híseal leis an talamh	As low as the ground íseal=low, talamh=ground

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SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) L-M

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua (Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

L | M

L
Chomh lag le cearc	As weak as a hen/chicken lag=weak, cearc=hen/chicken
Chomh lag le héan gé	Lit., as weak as a gosling (Said after severe illness) éan=young bird of any species/bird, gé=goose
Chomh lag le héan i mbarrach	As weak as an ailing chick (Lit., as weak as a bird (chick) in tow (of flax, hemp)) éan=bird, barrach=tow
Chomh lag le heilit i mbarrach	As weak as a hind in a thicket (i.e., trapped) (Irish Bible) eilit=doe/hind, barrach=thicket
Chomh lag le long ar chuan gan tonn	As weak as a ship on a harbour without a wave lag=weak, long=ship, cuan=harbour, tonn=wave
Chomh lag le piscín	As weak as a kitten (Referring to physical strength) lag=weak, piscín=kitten
Chomh lag leis an uisce	As weak as water (Said of a drink, etc.) lag=weak, uisce=water
Chomh láidir le capall	As strong as a horse láidir=strong, capall=horse
Chomh láidir le gearrán	As strong as a horse láidir=strong, gearrán=literally a gelding, but in the North often meaning a horse
Chomh láidir le Goll mac Mórna	As strong as Goll mac Mórna (character from tales of the Fianna) láidir=strong
Chomh láidir le tarbh	As strong as a bull láidir=strong, tarbh=bull
Chomh láidir leis na daracha	As strong as the oaks (Irish Bible) láidir=strong, dair=oak, daracha=oaks (plural)
Chomh lán le mála píbe	As full as a pipebag lán=full, mála=bag, píb=pipe
Chomh lán le hubh	As full as an egg lán=full, ubh=egg
Chomh lán leis an bhfarraige	As full as the sea lán=full, farraige=sea
Chomh leamh le uisce portaigh	As insipid as bog water leamh=insipid/lifeless, uisce=water, portach=bog
Chomh leathan leis an bhfarraige	As broad as the sea (Irish Bible) leathan=broad/wide, farraige=sea
Chomh leisciúil le hasal	As lazy as an ass leisciúil=lazy, asal=ass
Chomh leisciúil le cú	As lazy as a hound leisciúil=lazy, cú=hound
Chomh leisciúil leis an nGiolla Deacair	As lazy as the Giolla Deacair (character from folklore) leisciúil=lazy
Chomh leitheadach leis na cuacha	As widespread as the cuckoo leitheadach=widespread, cuacha (plural of cuach)=cuckoo
Chomh leochaileach leis an éan turcaí	As frail/tender/fragile as a young turkey leochaileach=frail/fragile, éan=bird (young of bird), turcaí=turkey
Chomh liath le broc	As grey as a badger liath=grey, broc=badger
Chomh líonmhar le gaineamh na trá	As numerous as the sands of the beach (Irish Bible) líonmhar=numerous, gaineamh=sand
Chomh líonmhar le réaltaí neimhe	As numerous as the stars of Heaven (Irish Bible) líonmhar=numerous, réaltaí=stars
Chomh líonmhar leis na corrmhíola	As numerous as the midges líonmhar=numerous, corrmhíola= midges
Chomh lom le croí do bhoise	As bare as the palm of your hand lom=bare, croí=heart, bos=palm of hand
Chomh lom le croí mo bhoise	As bare as the middle of my palm lom= bare/thin, croí=heart/center, bos=palm
Chomh lom le gé bhearrtha	As bare as a plucked goose lom=bare, gé=goose, bearrtha=plucked/shaved
Chomh lom leis an uisce	As dilute as water lom=thin/bare, uisce=water
Chomh luachmhar le hór	As valuable as gold luachmhar=valuable, ór=gold
Chomh luaineach le dreancaid	As jumpy as a flea luaineach=jumpy, dreancaid=flea
Chomh luath le cú	As fast as a hound luath=fast, cú=hound
Chomh luath le giorria	As fast as a hare luath=fast, giorria=hare
Chomh luath le hintinn mná idir beirt fhear	As fast as a woman’s mind between two men luath=fast, intinn=mind, mná=genitive of “bean” (woman), beirt=two people, fear=man

M
Chomh macánta leis an sagart	As honest as the priest macánta=honest, sagart=priest
Chomh maisithe le pictiúr	As pretty as a picture maisithe=decorated/pretty, pictiúr=picture
Chomh maith le duine	As good as a person (i.e., as good as the next) maith=good, duine=person
Chomh maith lena fhocal	As good as his word maith=good, focal=word
Chomh mall le seilide	As slow as a snail mall=slow, seilide=snail
Chomh maol le hubh	As bald as an egg maol=bald, ubh=egg
Chomh marbh le hart	As dead as a stone marbh=dead, art=stone
Chomh marbh le scadán	As dead as a herring marbh=dead, scadán=herring
Chomh meabhrach breabhsach le seabhac aille	As deep-thinking and sprightly as a cliff-hawk meabhrach=mindfull/deepthinking, breabhsach=sprightly (especially in old age), seabhac=hawk, aill=cliff
Chomh mear le míol Márta	As quick as a March Louse mear=quick, míol=louse/bug/creature, Márta=month of March
Chomh meidhreach le dreoilín teaspaigh	As cheerful as a grasshopper meidhreach=cheerful, dreoilín teaspaigh=grasshopper
Chomh meidhreach le héan	As cheerful as a bird meidhreach=cheerful, éan=bird
Chomh meidhreach le héan binne	As cheerful as a mountain bird meidhreach=cheerful, éan=bird, binn=mountain peak/gable of house
Chomh meidhreach le meannán míosa	As cheerful as a month-old kid (animal) meidhreach=cheerful, meannán=kid (animal), míosa=genitive of “mí” (month)
Chomh milis le mil	As sweet as honey milis=sweet, mil=honey
Chomh mín le cat	As meek as a cat mín=meek (i.e., smooth of manner), cat=cat
Chomh mín le gloine	As smooth as glass (Said of clothes after ironing) mín=smooth, gloine=glass
Chomh mín le plúr	As fine as flour mín=small, fine plúr=flour
Chomh mín le síoda	As fine/smooth as silk mín=smooth, síoda=silk
Chomh mín le smúit na talún	As fine as the dust of the earth mín=smooth, smúit=dust, talún=genitive of “talamh” (land/earth)
Chomh mín le snaois	As fine as snuff mín=small/fine, snaois=snuff
Chomh mín macánta leis an uan	As placid and as honest as a lamb (Said of a person’s temperment) mín=smooth/placid, macánta=honest (i.e., not devious), uan=lamb
Chomh mínáireach le muc	As shameless as a pig mínáireach=shameless, muc=pig
Chomh minic is atá méara ar do lámh	As often as there is fingers on your hand minic=often, méara=fingers, lámh=hand
Chomh místiúrtha le bean	As unmanagable as a woman místiúrtha=unmanagable, bean=woman
Chomh mómhar le luchóg faoi chois an chait	As mannerly as a mouse under the cat’s paw mómhar=mannerly/graceful, cos an chait=cat’s foot
Chomh mór le chéile agus a bhíonn bó le coca féir	As “thick” or “close” as a cow and a haycock mór le chéile=great/close/thick, coca féir=haycock
Chomh mór le teach	As big as a house mór=big, teach=house
Chomh mór le trosc a chaithfí isteach i mbád	As big/wide as a cod that would be thrown into a boat (Said of mouth, as in “D’oscail sí a clab chomh mór le trosc a chaithfí isteach i mbád.) mór=big, trosc=cod, caithfí=conditional form of “caith” (as one would throw)

SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) N-R

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua
(Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

N | O | P | R

N
Chomh neamhnaofa le doras tigh ósta i nGaillimh	As unholy as the door of a hostelry in Galway (of a place) neamhnaofa=unholy, tigh ósta=hotel/hostelry, Gaillimh=Galway
Chomh neamhurchóideach leis an leanbh	As harmless as a child neamhurchóideach=harmless, leanbh=child
Chomh nimhneach le heasóg	As spiteful/touchy as a weasel (of a place) nimhneach=spiteful/touchy/”sore”, easóg=weasel

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O

Chomh hólta le píobaire

As drunk as a piper
ólta=drunk, píobaire=piper

Chomh hóltach le bean a’ leanna

As drunk as a publican (female)
óltach=drunk, bean=woman, leann=porter

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P
Chomh pioctha le sagart	As neat/spruce as a priest pioctha=neat/spruce, sagart=priest
Chomh pollta le criathar	As perforated as a sieve poll=hole, pollta=perforated, criathar=sieve
Chomh postúil le cat siopa	As pompous as a shop cat postúil=pompous, cat=cat, siopa=shop
Chomh preabúil le gaiscíoch	As lively/dashing as a warrior preabúil=lively/dashing, gaiscíoch=warrior

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R
Chomh raidhseach le cuileoga	As plentiful as flies raidhseach=plentiful, cuileoga=flies
Chomh ramhar le rón	As fat as a seal ramhar=fat, rón=seal
Chomh ramhar le mart	As fat as an ox ramhar=fat, mart=ox
Chomh ramhar sa réasún le muc	As fat in reasoning as a pig (i.e., As stupid as a pig) ramhar=fat, réasún=reasoning, muc=pig
Chomh righin le gad	As stiff as a willow rod (Can be used to describe food: Bhí an sean turcaí sin chomh righin le gad. = That old turkey was as tough as an old boot.) righin=tough/stiff, gad=rod/rope/tie
Chomh righin leis an táthfhéithleann	As stiff as a woodbine righin=tough/stiff, táthfhéithleann=woodbine/honeysuckle
Chomh ríméadach le cat a mbeadh póca air.	As overjoyed/jubilant as a cat who had a pocket ríméadach=overjoyed, cat=cat, póca=pocket
Chomh ríméadach leis na cuacha	As overjoyed/jubilant as the cuckoos ríméadach=overjoyed, cuach=cuckoo
Chomh rite le bogha fidile	As taut as a fiddle bow rite=taut, bogha=bow, fidil=fiddle
Chomh rite le tarbh a mbeifí á thachtadh	As distended as a bull that was being strangled (said of distended eyes) rite=distended (the idiomatic use of the verb “rith”, run; indicates that all slack has run out and consequently that whatever is referred to is tight, distended, at maximum extension), tarbh=bull, tachtadh=choking/strangling
Chomh rógaireach le mada rua	As mischievious as a fox rógaireach=mischievious, mada rua=fox

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SAMHLACHA (SIMILES) S-U

Cnuasaithe ag Donncha ÓBroin; An Dámhscoil Nua
(Compiled by Donncha ÓBroin; The New Bardic School)

S | T | U

S
Chomh saibhir le Déamar	As rich as Déamar (rich, historical person) saibhir=rich
Chomh salach le poll	As dirty as a hole salach=dirty, poll=hole
Chomh sámh le liamhán gréine	As tranquil as a basking shark (Fishermen off the west coast of Ireland often come upon basking sharks asleep on the surface of the water, enjoying the summer weather; whence the English name basking shark) sámh=tranquil, liamhán gréine=basking shark
Chomh saothrach le beach	As industrious as a bee saothrach=industrious, beach=bee
Chomh sárlíonta le bairille	As well-filled as a barrel sárlíonta=well-filled, bairille=barrel (which can be filled to the brim)
Chomh sásta le bolg lán	As contented as a full belly sásta=satisfied/contented, bolg=belly, lán=full
Chomh sásta le diúc	As contented as a duke sásta=satisfied/contented, diúc=duke
Chomh sásta le píobaire	As contented as a piper (i.e., as pleased as can be) sásta=contented, píobaire=piper
Chomh sásta le rí	As contented as a king sásta=satisfied/contented, rí=king
Chomh scartha is atá an adharc leis an muc	As seperate as the horn is from the pig scartha=seperated, adharc=horn, muc=pig
Chomh sean leis an gceo	As old as the fog sean=old, ceo=fog/mist
Chomh sean le hOisín	As old as Oisín Oisín=hero of the Fianna who went to Tír na nOg with Niamh for three hundred years
Chomh sean leis an Chailleach Bhéarra	As old as Cailleach Bhéarra sean=old, Cailleach Bhéarra=Hag of Beare (mythological old woman famous for her great age)
Chomh seang le luch	As lean/meagre as a mouse seang=lean/meagre, luch=mouse
Chomh searbh le domlas	As bitter as bile (Irish Bible) searbh=bitter, domlas=bile
Chomh seargtha le giota adhmaid	As withered as a piece of wood (Irish Bible) seargtha=dry/withered, giota=piece, adhmad=wood
Chomh seascair le luichín i stáca	As snug as a little mouse in a stack of hay seascair=snug, luch=mouse, luichín=little mouse, stáca=stack of hay
Chomh slán leis an mbradán	As healthy as a salmon slán=well/healthy, bradán=salmon (the salmon and trout are regarded as the symbol of health in Irish-speaking culture)
Chomh sleamhain le heascann	As slippery as an eel sleamhain=slippery, eascann=eel
Chomh sleamhain le heascann cochallach i bpota uisce	As slippery as a hooded eel (type of eel) in a pot of water eacann cochallach=type of eel, pota uisce=pot of water
Chomh smeartha le n-aprún búistéara	As smeared/smudged as a butcher’s apron smeartha=smeared, aprún=apron, búistéir=butcher
Chomh socair le cat	As calm as a cat socair=calm/quiet, cat=cat
Chomh socair le lao na bó	As calm as the cow’s calf (i.e., as good as gold) socair calm/quiet, lao=calf, bó=cow
Chomh socair le huan	As calm as a lamb (i.e., as good as gold) socair=calm/quiet, uan=lamb
Chomh soiléir le cac ar do léine	As clear as excrement on your shirt (rude or humorous statement) cac=excrement, léine=shirt
Chomh soiléir le grian an mheán lae	As clear as the midday sun soiléir=clear, grian=sun, meán lae=midday
Chomh sona le cuach i nead a comharsan	As happy a a cuckoo in the nest of it’s neighbour sona=happy, cuach=cuckoo, nead=nest, comharsa=neighbour
Chomh státúil le fia	As stately le a deer státúil=stately, fia=deer
Chomh stuama le breitheamh	As sober as a judge stuama=sober/sensible, breitheamh=judge
Chomh suaimhneach le cill	As peacful/quiet as a graveyard suaimhneach=peaceful, cill=graveyard
Chomh suaimhneach le luchógaí beaga	As peacful/quiet as mice suaimhneach=peaceful, luchógaí beaga=mice

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T
Chomh taisfhuar le taobh na huaighe	As cold as the side of the grave (said of a sick person’s hand or body) taisfhuar is a compound of tais (=damp) and fuar (=cold), uaigh=grave
Chomh tanaí le habhlann	As thin as a wafer tanaí=thin, abhlann=wafer
Chomh tanaí le duilleog eidhinn	As thin as an ivy leaf tanaí=thin, duilleog=leaf, eidheann=ivy
Chomh tapaidh le splanc	As quick as a flash tapaidh=quick, splanc=flash/spark
Chomh te bruite le caiscín ar ghrideall	As roasting hot as a wholemeal cake on a griddle (of person) te=hot, bruite=roasted/cooked, caiscín=oatmeal cake, grideall=griddle
Chomh te leis an tine	As hot as the fire te=hot, tine=fire
Chomh te teolaí le hubh i dtóin circe	As warm and comfortable as an egg in a hen¹s behind (humorous) te=hot, teolaí=warm/comfortable, tóin=bottom/posterior, circe=genitive of “cearc” (hen)
Chomh teann le cloch	As firm as a stone (Irish Bible) teann=firm/tight, cloch= stone/rock
Chomh teann le comhairleoir dlí	As tight(lipped) as a legal advisor (said in phrase “odhún sí a béal chomh teann le comhairleoir dlí”) teann=tight, comairleoir=advisor, dlí=law
Chomh teann le téad fidile	As tight as a fiddle string teann=tight, téad=string/rope, fidil=fiddle
Chomh tinn le cú	As sick as a hound tinn=sick, cú=hound
Chomh tinn le neascóid	As sore as a boil tinn=sore/sick, neascóid=boil
Chomh tirim le coirt crainn	As dry as the bark of a tree (said of lips) tirim=dry, coirt=bark, crann=tree
Chomh tirim le fásach	As dry as a desert (Irish Bible) tirim=dry, fásach=desert
Chomh tirim le feadóg	As dry as a whistle tirim=dry, feadóg=whistle
Chomh tirim le púdar	As dry as powder tirim=dry, púdar=powder
Chomh tirim le snaois	As dry as snuff tirim=dry, snaois=snuff
Chomh tirim le sprís	As dry as tinder tirim=dry, sprís=dry twigs/tinder
Chomh tiubh le clár	As thick as a plank/board tiubh=thick, clár=board/plank
Chomh tiubh le gaineamh an trá	As thick/plentiful as the sand of the beach tiubh=thick/plentiful, gaineamh=sand, trá=beach
Chomh tiubh le sail scafa	As thick as a planed beam (approx 9 ins.) tiubh=thick, sail=beam, scafa=past participle of “scamh” (to peel or plane)
Chomh tráthúil le bille bainc	As punctual as a bankbill tráthúil=punctual/timely (from tráth=hour/time), bille=bill, banc=bank
Chomh tréan le múr clocha sneachta	As plentiful or frequent as a shower of hail stones (said of blows) tréan=plentiful, múr=shower, clocha sneachta=hail stones
Chomh tréan le sprémhóin	As plentiful as old turf tréan=plentiful; sprémhóin=useless, leftover turf or turf dust, of which there is usually a lot
Chomh trom le cloch	As heavy as a stone trom=heavy, cloch=stone
Chomh trom le cnap miotail	As heavy as a lump of metal trom=heavy, cnap=lump, miotal=metal
Chomh tuartha le gé ghoir	As washy as a brooding goose tuartha=”washy”/whitened, gé=goose, gor=broodiness/heat
Chomh tuirseach le seanchapall	As tired as an old horse tuirseach=tired, sean=old, capall=horse

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U

Chomh húr le geamhar féir

As fresh as springing shoots of grass
(Irish Bible)
úr=fresh, geamhar=springing shoot, féar=grass

Chomh húr le nóinín

As fresh as a daisy
úr=fresh, nóinín=daisy

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