homely as a hedge fence: Idiom Meaning and Origin

"hard on the eyes" is another idiom that mirrors the sentiment conveyed by "homely as a hedge fence." When something or someone is described as "hard on the eyes," it means that they are unattractive or aesthetically displeasing. This idiom shares the theme of plainness or lack of beauty with "homely as a hedge fence," highlighting the similarities in their meanings.

Similarly, the idiom "home away from home" can be associated with the phrase "homely as a hedge fence." "Home away from home" refers to a place that provides a feeling of comfort and familiarity, much like one's own home. This sense of familiarity and simplicity aligns with the essence of "homely as a hedge fence," which evokes an unadorned and unassuming image. Both idioms emphasize the importance of finding solace and ease in a familiar and unpretentious environment.

On the other hand, the idiom "have a face like the back end of a bus" takes a different approach in its metaphorical comparison. This idiom implies that someone's appearance is extremely unattractive. While "homely as a hedge fence" suggests plainness or lack of beauty, "have a face like the back end of a bus" goes a step further by emphasizing unattractiveness or ugliness. Though they differ in degree, both idioms convey a similar idea of unadorned or unattractive appearance.

The idiom "common-and-garden" is yet another phrase that can be linked to "homely as a hedge fence." "Common-and-garden" is used to describe something that is ordinary or unremarkable. This aligns with the plain and simple nature of the hedge fence in the idiom "homely as a hedge fence." Both idioms convey the idea that someone or something lacks special qualities or uniqueness, emphasizing their unassuming and unadorned nature.

Lastly, the idiom "hair out of place" presents an interesting contrast to the previous idioms. While "homely as a hedge fence" focuses on overall plainness or lack of beauty, "hair out of place" hones in on a small imperfection or flaw in appearance. This idiom suggests that someone's hair is untidy or disheveled. While the two idioms differ in scope, they share the common theme of appearance and draw attention to imperfections or unattractiveness.

Overall, the idiom "homely as a hedge fence" embodies the notion of plainness, simplicity, and lack of beauty. It evokes a sense of familiarity and unpretentiousness, not unlike other idioms such as "hard on the eyes," "home away from home," "have a face like the back end of a bus," "common-and-garden," and "hair out of place." These related idioms further emphasize the idea of unadorned or unattractive appearance, the importance of familiarity and comfort, and the unremarkable nature of someone or something. Through these idioms, we can appreciate the beauty in simplicity, find comfort in familiarity, and recognize that appearances aren't always indicative of value or worth.