something like: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘something like’ mean?
The idiom "something like" is used to indicate an approximation or estimate of something without providing exact or precise details.
Idiom Explorer
An idiom meaning an unrealistic or unattainable desire/expectation, often used to convey someone wanting something that is impossible to obtain.
The idiom "the half of it" means that something is incomplete or lacking important information. It suggests that there is more to a situation than what is currently known or stated.
The idiom "that's saying something" is used to highlight a statement that is particularly noteworthy or impressive, often because it exceeds expectations or goes against common assumptions.
The idiom "that figures" is used to express that something is not surprising or unexpected, as it is consistent with what was already known or expected.
An idiom used to emphasize the extreme or exceptional quality of someone or something.
The idiom "take someone's word for it" means to believe or trust what someone says without requiring further proof or evidence.
The idiom "take a stab at" means to make an attempt or try something, often without being sure of the outcome or success.
The idiom "take a shot in the dark" means to make a guess or attempt something without any knowledge or information. It implies a lack of certainty or confidence in the outcome.
The idiom "sure enough" means that something expected or predicted actually happened or turned out to be true. It is used to confirm or validate a previous statement or belief.
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The idiom "and the like" is commonly used in conjunction with "something like" to broaden the scope of what is being described. It implies that there are other similar or related things that could be included in the statement.
For example, someone might say "I need to buy groceries like milk, eggs, and the like." Here, "like milk, eggs, and the like" suggests that the speaker needs to buy similar items to milk and eggs but is not specifying each individual item.
The idiom "look like" is another phrase that is often used with "something like" to describe the appearance or resemblance of something. It implies that the speaker is making a visual comparison or observation.
For instance, someone might say "That new sculpture looks like a tree, something like that." In this case, "looks like a tree, something like that" indicates that the sculpture resembles a tree in some way, but not exactly.
The idiom "or words to that effect" is similar to "something like" in that it suggests approximation or similarity. It is used when someone paraphrases or summarizes what was said without using the exact words.
For example, someone might say "She told me to clean my room or words to that effect." This means that the person was given a general instruction to clean their room, but the exact words might have been slightly different.
The idiom "or something" is often used to add uncertainty or vagueness to a statement. It implies that there are other possibilities or options that could also apply.
For instance, someone might say "I need to find a gift, like a book or something." Here, "like a book or something" suggests that the person is open to considering other gift options besides a book, but has not specified what those options might be.
The idiom "something like" is a versatile expression that can be used in various contexts to indicate approximation, comparison, uncertainty, or rough estimation. It can be augmented with other related idioms like "and the like," "look like," "or words to that effect," and "or something" to enhance the specificity, nuance, and flexibility of the statement.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "something like" can be used in a sentence:
- He told me that he had seen some kind of a ghost or something like that.
- We need to buy some vegetables, like tomatoes or something like that.
- She said that she wanted to go on a vacation to a tropical island or something like that.
More "Comparisons" idioms
