BE LIKE Meaning and
Definition
-
"Be like" is an idiomatic expression in the English language that is used to convey someone's mannerisms, actions, or behavior, often in a humorous or exaggerated way. It is commonly used in conversations, particularly in informal or casual settings, to imitate or mimic someone's speech or actions for comedic effect.
The phrase "be like" is frequently followed by a quotation or a description of how someone might react or respond in a particular situation. It is used to recreate or imagine how someone would behave, and it is often used to poke fun at stereotypes or exaggerated behaviors associated with certain individuals or groups.
For instance, if someone is telling a story about a friend who always freaks out over small inconveniences, they might say, "So she was at the store, and the cashier told her they ran out of her favorite ice cream, and she was like, 'Oh my gosh, my life is over!'"
In this example, "she was like" is used to recreate and emphasize the friend's exaggerated reaction for comedic effect. It allows the speaker to provide a vivid and entertaining description of how the person acted or spoke in that specific moment.
Overall, "be like" is a versatile phrase that allows speakers to reproduce others' actions or mannerisms in a relatable or humorous way, often exaggerating or highlighting specific traits or characteristics.
Common Misspellings for BE LIKE
- belike
- blike
- beliike
- belik
- beelike
- be like
- ve like
- ne like
- bw like
- bs like
- bd like
- br like
- b4 like
- b3 like
- be kike
- be pike
- be oike
- be luke
- be ljke
- be lkke
Etymology of BE LIKE
The phrase "be like" originated as part of African American Vernacular English (AAVE) in the early 1990s. It gained popularity through hip hop and the influence of Black culture on mainstream media. It is believed to have emerged in the urban areas of the United States.
The exact etymology of "be like" can be traced back to the linguistic phenomenon of quotative like, which has been present in English since the 17th century. Quotative like refers to the use of "like" to introduce reported speech or thoughts, indicating that the following words are a representation or approximation of what someone said or thought.
In AAVE, "be like" is used in a similar way, but it also takes on a broader range of functions. It can serve as a discourse marker, a way to express reported speech, to describe someone's behavior or reaction, and to convey thoughts or feelings.
Idioms with the word BE LIKE
-
be like watching grass grow
The idiom "be like watching grass grow" means that something is extremely slow, boring, or uneventful. It implies that the activity or process being referred to is so monotonous that it feels as if one is literally watching grass grow, which is a slow and uninteresting activity.
-
be like a deer caught in the headlights
The idiom "be like a deer caught in the headlights" is used to describe someone who is frozen or paralyzed with fear, shock, or surprise in a situation. It suggests a state of being unable to react or think clearly, similar to how a deer might freeze when exposed to the bright lights of an oncoming vehicle.
-
be like Fort Knox
The idiom "be like Fort Knox" means to be extremely secure or heavily guarded, often referring to an object, place, or information that is very difficult to access or breach. It draws its analogy from the high level of security associated with Fort Knox, a United States Army post and depository in Kentucky that stores a significant amount of gold reserves.
-
be like chalk and cheese
The idiom "be like chalk and cheese" is used to describe two people or things that are very different from each other and have contrasting characteristics or personalities.
-
be like putty in someone's hands
The idiom "be like putty in someone's hands" means to be easily influenced or controlled by someone else, just like putty, a soft and pliable substance, can be shaped and molded according to one's will. It implies being highly susceptible or gullible to another person's persuasion or manipulation.
-
be like a fish out of water
The idiom "be like a fish out of water" means to feel uncomfortable, awkward, or out of place in a particular situation or environment, similar to how a fish would struggle and be unable to adapt outside of its natural habitat, which is water.
-
be like ships that pass in the night
The idiom "be like ships that pass in the night" refers to two or more people who encounter each other briefly and then move on without developing a deeper connection or understanding. It implies a fleeting or temporary encounter where there is no substantial interaction or long-lasting relationship established.
-
be like a bull in a china shop
The idiom "be like a bull in a china shop" means that someone is being very clumsy, careless, or reckless, often causing damage or chaos in a situation that requires carefulness and precision.
-
be like a red rag to a bull
The idiom "be like a red rag to a bull" means to provoke or agitate someone easily, often causing them to become angry or aggressive. It refers to the concept that, traditionally, red cloth was used to excite and enrage bulls during bullfights, causing them to charge at it relentlessly. The idiom is thus used to describe a situation or action that elicits strong negative reactions or hostility from someone.
-
be like painting the Forth Bridge
The idiom "be like painting the Forth Bridge" refers to a never-ending or never-completed task, similar to the continuous painting maintenance required for the Forth Bridge, a famous railway bridge in Scotland. It implies that a task or duty is so extensive, demanding, or time-consuming that it seems impossible to finish or keep up with.
-
be like a kid in a candy store
The idiom "be like a kid in a candy store" means to be extremely happy, excited, or enthusiastic about something, similar to how a child would feel when given unlimited access to a wide variety of candies in a store. It reflects a sense of pure delight and overwhelming joy.
-
like a (real) bear, at be like a bear with a sore head
The idiom "like a bear (or a real bear) at be like a bear with a sore head" refers to someone who is in a grumpy, irritable, or bad-tempered state. It implies that the person acts aggressively or moodily, similar to a bear that is provoked or in pain.
-
be like feeding time at the zoo
The idiom "be like feeding time at the zoo" is used to describe a chaotic or wild situation where people or things are acting unruly, boisterous, or greedy. It suggests a scene similar to when animals are being fed at a zoo, with a lot of noise, commotion, and everyone eagerly grabbing or competing for something.
-
be like oil and water
The idiom "be like oil and water" refers to two people or things that are completely incompatible, constantly clashing or unable to work together due to very different personalities, beliefs, or values.
-
be like jelly
The idiom "be like jelly" refers to someone or something that is weak, shaky, or lacking stability. It implies a lack of firmness or strength, often used to describe a person's physical or emotional state.
-
be like ships in the night
The idiom "be like ships in the night" refers to two or more people who have a brief encounter or pass by each other without fully connecting or understanding each other. It implies a lack of communication or missed opportunity to establish a meaningful connection or relationship. The phrase is often used to describe situations where individuals cross paths but remain distant or indifferent to each other.
-
be like watching paint dry
The idiom "be like watching paint dry" is used to describe a situation or activity that is extremely boring, monotonous, or uneventful. It implies that it is tedious and lacking any form of excitement or interest, much like observing the slow, dull process of drying paint.
-
be like a dog with a bone
The expression "be like a dog with a bone" means to be extremely tenacious, stubborn, and unwilling to let go or give up on something. It implies a relentless pursuit or insistence on achieving a goal or resolving an issue, much like how a dog gripping onto a bone will not let go easily.
-
be like a child in a sweetshop
The idiom "be like a child in a sweetshop" means to be extremely excited, delighted, or overwhelmed by an abundance of options or opportunities. It refers to the joy and wonder a child experiences when surrounded by a wide variety of sweets in a candy shop.
-
be like a cat on a hot tin roof
The idiom "be like a cat on a hot tin roof" means to be extremely nervous, restless, or anxious. It suggests a state of unease or agitation, similar to a cat trying to find a comfortable place to rest while on a hot surface, constantly shifting its position due to discomfort.
-
be like two peas in a pod
The idiom "be like two peas in a pod" refers to two individuals who have a strong resemblance or similarity in their characteristics, behaviors, or interests, making them virtually indistinguishable from each other. It signifies that the two individuals are very close and inseparable, as peas in a pod are typically found closely packed together.
-
be like a bear with a sore head
The idiom "be like a bear with a sore head" refers to someone who is extremely irritable, bad-tempered, or grumpy. It implies that the person is in a state of extreme agitation or discomfort, just like a bear that is suffering from a painful condition.
-
be like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights
The idiom "be like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights" means to be startled, frozen, or unable to act or think clearly due to extreme surprise, fear, or shock. It refers to the behavior of deer or rabbits that become immobilized when they see the bright lights of a vehicle approaching them at night.
-
be like taking candy from a baby
The idiom "be like taking candy from a baby" means that something is very easy to do or accomplish, often implying that it requires little effort or skill.
-
be as easy as taking candy from a baby, at be like taking candy from a baby
The idiom "be as easy as taking candy from a baby" or "be like taking candy from a baby" means that a particular task or action is extremely simple or effortless. The expression implies that the challenge or difficulty level involved is so negligible that it can be accomplished without any effort or skill, similar to how one can easily take candy from an unsuspecting and defenseless baby.
-
be like herding cats
The idiom "be like herding cats" refers to a difficult or impossible task of trying to control or manage a group of people or things who are independent-minded, unruly, or hard to keep in line. It suggests that the task is as challenging as trying to control or organize cats, which are known for their independent nature and resistance to being directed.
-
be like looking for a needle in a haystack
The idiom "be like looking for a needle in a haystack" refers to a situation in which it is extremely difficult or nearly impossible to find or locate something or someone because they are concealed or buried among a large and disorganized mass of things. It implies a daunting task with little hope of success or finding the desired object easily.
-
be like shooting fish in a barrel
The idiom "be like shooting fish in a barrel" is used to describe a task or situation that is extremely easy or requires little effort to accomplish. It suggests that the task is as easy as shooting fish in a barrel, as the fish inside a barrel are confined and easy targets, making it effortless to hit them.
-
be like a red flag to a bull
The idiom "be like a red flag to a bull" means that something or someone will cause a strong and immediate negative reaction or strong anger from someone. It often implies that the situation or behavior is highly provocative or irritating, similar to how waving a red flag in front of a bull would provoke an aggressive response from the animal.
-
be like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic
The idiom "be like rearranging the deckchairs on the Titanic" means engaging in futile or pointless tasks that do not address or solve the larger problem at hand. It references the historic event of the sinking of the Titanic, where rearranging the deckchairs on the ship would have been inconsequential and irrelevant in the face of the impending disaster. Thus, the idiom implies that any effort exerted in such a situation would be futile and ineffective.
-
be like talking to a brick wall
The idiom "be like talking to a brick wall" means that the person you are speaking to is not listening or not responding to what you are saying; it feels as though you are wasting your time trying to communicate with them because they are unresponsive or uninterested.
-
be like a spare prick at a wedding
The idiom "be like a spare prick at a wedding" is an informal expression used to describe an individual who feels awkward, out of place, or unnecessary in a particular situation or gathering. It implies that the person stands out as being superfluous and doesn't have a clear role or purpose, similar to how an extra unused utensil (a "prick" being slang for a penis) would appear redundant at a wedding. This idiom is primarily used in British English and conveys a sense of discomfort or unimportance.
-
be like a dog with two tails
-
be like/as safe as Fort Knox
To be like/as safe as Fort Knox means to be extremely secure or well-protected. Fort Knox is a highly secure United States Army post in Kentucky that is famously known for storing a large portion of the United States' gold reserves. Therefore, being compared to Fort Knox indicates a high level of safety and security.
-
be like
"Be like" is an informal phrase used to introduce reported speech or convey someone's thoughts, reactions, or mannerisms in a casual or colloquial way. It is often used in casual conversation or text messages to mimic someone's behavior or speech.
Similar spelling words for BE LIKE
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
