PhrasesHub

small as a mouse

    Definitions

      • being physically small or insignificant
        Describing someone or something as being very tiny or unimportant

      • being quiet or timid
        Describing someone as being very quiet or timid in their actions or behavior

    Examples of small as a mouse

    • The antique ring Marie found in her grandmother's attic was small as a mouse.

      This idiom is used to describe the size of the ring, which is incredibly small. It compares the size of the ring to that of a mouse, which is also relatively small.

    • The tiny spider that crawled across the floor was small as a mouse.

      In this example, the spider's size is being compared to that of a mouse. The word "tiny" further emphasizes how small the spider is.

    • The newborn kitten squeezed into its mother's paw was smaller than a mouse.

      Here, the kitten's size is described as being smaller than that of a mouse. This is an instance where the idiom is used to compare the size of two small things: the kitten and a mouse.

    • The nib used to etch intricate designs into the clock's face was so small it could have fit inside a mouse's ear.

      This example uses the idiom in a creative and unique way. It compares the size of the nib to that of a mouse's ear, which is incredibly small. This helps to illustrate just how small the nib actually is.

    • The antique brooch that was passed down through generations was so small that it could fit into the palm of your hand, and even then, it would be as inconspicuous as a mouse hiding in a corner.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is incredibly small and barely noticeable, just like a mouse that blends into the background. It implies that the object being referred to is not particularly significant or important, as small things often go unnoticed.

    • After the colossal failure of their latest product, the company was left with a mountain of debt and a business that was smaller than a mouse.

      Here, the idiom is being used in a figurative sense to describe the state of the company's financial situation. It implies that the company had suffered such a significant setback that it was now insignificant and barely noticeable, much like a tiny mouse hiding in the shadows.

    • The vocalist's voice was so soft and delicate that it was as meager as the chirping of a mouse.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is incredibly weak or insignificant, in this case, the vocalist's voice. It implies that the voice was barely audible, just like the faint sound of a mouse scurrying across the floor.

    • The struggling artist's dreams of stardom were as tenuous as a mouse hanging onto the edge of a cliff.

      Here, the idiom is being used to describe the state of the artist's hopes and aspirations. It implies that the chances of the artist achieving success were so slim that they were barely perceptible, much like a mouse clinging to the edge of a high cliff.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "small as a mouse" can be used to describe both the physical size of something or someone, as well as their behavior. When used to describe physical size, it emphasizes how tiny or insignificant something is. When used to describe behavior, it highlights how quiet or timid someone is acting.

    Origin of "small as a mouse"

    The origin of the idiom "small as a mouse" likely comes from the common association of mice with being small and inconspicuous. Mice are often seen as skittish and cautious animals, which may have led to the association of being "small as a mouse" with being quiet or timid in behavior. Additionally, the small size of a mouse would have naturally led to the association of being physically small or insignificant. The idiom has likely been used for centuries, as mice have been a common presence in human habitats throughout history. Overall, the idiom "small as a mouse" has likely developed from the physical and behavioral characteristics commonly associated with mice.