as sin

adv

as sin

adv

Etymology Generalization of previous similes, e.g. evil as sin, common as sin, imputable as sin.

1

Postpositional To a great extent or degree; very.

  • There is no way you'll lift it yourself, it's heavy as sin.
  • CAPTAIN: I understand, and I'll patronize you. I'll take every ticket, and pay you cash, and Jedidah shall come and see the beautiful rival. / JEDIDAH: Beautiful! She's as homely as sin.1864, O. E. [Oliver Everett] Durivage, The Stage-Struck Yankee:
2 more examples
  • As for Janie, she stood there, petrified, and now her face had become as ugly as sin, and as vicious, and as malevolent.1945, Taylor Caldwell, Wide House:
  • The clouds covered a liquid surface black as sin.2015, John C. Wright, The Architect of Aeons, 1st edition, New York:

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.