Sometimes, things can be so gross that it’s hard to find the right words. In the USA, people often use similes to talk about disgusting things in funny or creative ways. A simile is when you compare something using the words “like” or “as.” These comparisons make it easier to describe just how bad, smelly, or yucky something really is.
For example, instead of just saying “it smelled bad,” someone might say “it smelled like rotten eggs.” That makes the sentence stronger and more fun to read. In this article, we’ll look at many similes Americans use when something is really disgusting. These similes help us explain things in a way that others can imagine clearly.
Similes for Disgusting
1. As gross as a moldy sandwich
Meaning: Very dirty or spoiled
Example Sentence:
– That leftover lunch smelled as gross as a moldy sandwich.
– His gym socks were as gross as a moldy sandwich.
Other ways to say: Nasty, rotten
Fun Fact/Origin: Mold grows on old food, making it smelly and unsafe to eat.
Usage: Used to describe something rotten or old.
2. Like a trash can on a hot day
Meaning: Smells terrible
Example Sentence:
– The locker room smelled like a trash can on a hot day.
– That spoiled milk was like a trash can on a hot day.
Other ways to say: Stinky, foul
Fun Fact/Origin: In many American cities, trash smells worse in summer.
Usage: Used for strong, bad smells.
3. As slimy as a slug
Meaning: Wet, gooey, and gross
Example Sentence:
– The seaweed felt as slimy as a slug.
– That leftover pasta was as slimy as a slug.
Other ways to say: Gooey, slick
Fun Fact/Origin: Slugs leave behind a slippery trail to help them move.
Usage: Used to describe something wet and sticky.
4. Like feet after gym class
Meaning: Very bad-smelling
Example Sentence:
– His shoes smelled like feet after gym class.
– The room stank like feet after gym class.
Other ways to say: Smelly, sweaty
Fun Fact/Origin: Sweaty socks are a common joke in American schools.
Usage: Used when describing stinky feet or shoes.
5. As nasty as week-old garbage
Meaning: Extremely disgusting
Example Sentence:
– The leftovers were as nasty as week-old garbage.
– That smell is as nasty as week-old garbage.
Other ways to say: Rotten, repulsive
Fun Fact/Origin: In most U.S. homes, garbage is collected weekly.
Usage: Used for really bad smells or sights.
6. Like a toilet that hasn’t been cleaned
Meaning: Really dirty and gross
Example Sentence:
– That gas station bathroom was like a toilet that hasn’t been cleaned.
– The campsite restroom was like a toilet that hasn’t been cleaned.
Other ways to say: Filthy, foul
Fun Fact/Origin: This simile is common when describing dirty places.
Usage: Used to describe gross places or bathrooms.
7. As stinky as old cheese
Meaning: Has a strong, bad smell
Example Sentence:
– The fridge smelled as stinky as old cheese.
– His breath was as stinky as old cheese.
Other ways to say: Smelly, rank
Fun Fact/Origin: Some cheeses get smellier with age.
Usage: Used for bad food smells.
8. Like a baby’s dirty diaper
Meaning: Very smelly and gross
Example Sentence:
– The car smelled like a baby’s dirty diaper.
– That trash bag smelled like a baby’s dirty diaper.
Other ways to say: Stinks, reeks
Fun Fact/Origin: Parents often joke about how bad diapers can smell.
Usage: Used to describe a strong, gross smell.
9. As rotten as a forgotten lunchbox
Meaning: Really spoiled or smelly
Example Sentence:
– The old food was as rotten as a forgotten lunchbox.
– The smell was as rotten as a forgotten lunchbox in summer.
Other ways to say: Putrid, spoiled
Fun Fact/Origin: Kids sometimes forget lunchboxes in their school bags.
Usage: Used for describing spoiled food.
10. Like a clogged drain
Meaning: Bad-smelling and messy
Example Sentence:
– The kitchen sink smelled like a clogged drain.
– The shower was as gross as a clogged drain.
Other ways to say: Gunky, nasty
Fun Fact/Origin: Clogs often cause smelly water buildup.
Usage: Used when something smells and looks dirty.
11. As crusty as an old scab
Meaning: Dry, gross, and flaky
Example Sentence:
– That leftover mac and cheese was as crusty as an old scab.
– The dishes left in the sink looked as crusty as an old scab.
Other ways to say: Dry, gross
Fun Fact/Origin: Scabs form as cuts heal, but can look and feel nasty.
Usage: Used to describe dried-up grossness.
12. Like gym clothes left in a bag
Meaning: Smells bad and sweaty
Example Sentence:
– His hoodie smelled like gym clothes left in a bag.
– The locker reeked like gym clothes left in a bag.
Other ways to say: Musty, sweaty
Fun Fact/Origin: Many U.S. kids forget their gym clothes in their backpacks.
Usage: Describes sweaty smells.
13. As yucky as warm milk
Meaning: Feels or tastes unpleasant
Example Sentence:
– That smoothie was as yucky as warm milk.
– She gagged because the milk was as yucky as warm milk.
Other ways to say: Disgusting, off
Fun Fact/Origin: Milk spoils fast when not kept cold.
Usage: Used for bad-tasting drinks.
14. Like a bug stuck in jelly
Meaning: Gross, sticky, and weird
Example Sentence:
– That snack looked like a bug stuck in jelly.
– The science project felt like a bug stuck in jelly.
Other ways to say: Sticky, creepy
Fun Fact/Origin: This image is common in kids’ stories and shows.
Usage: Describes odd and gross textures.
15. As mushy as a soggy sandwich
Meaning: Wet and unpleasant
Example Sentence:
– Her sandwich was as mushy as a soggy sandwich.
– That bread felt as mushy as a soggy sandwich.
Other ways to say: Soft, damp
Fun Fact/Origin: Many Americans pack sandwiches for school or work.
Usage: Used when texture is soft and icky.
16. Like a hair in your food
Meaning: Makes you lose your appetite
Example Sentence:
– I almost threw up; it was like finding a hair in your food.
– That soup was like a hair in your food.
Other ways to say: Gross, upsetting
Fun Fact/Origin: A common reason people send back food at restaurants.
Usage: Describes things that ruin meals.
17. As filthy as a mud puddle
Meaning: Dirty and messy
Example Sentence:
– Their shoes were as filthy as a mud puddle.
– The dog came in as filthy as a mud puddle.
Other ways to say: Dirty, grimy
Fun Fact/Origin: Puddles are common in American backyards and parks.
Usage: Used to describe messy situations.
18. Like fish left in the sun
Meaning: Strong, nasty smell
Example Sentence:
– The trash smelled like fish left in the sun.
– Opening that cooler was like smelling fish left in the sun.
Other ways to say: Rancid, reeking
Fun Fact/Origin: Fish spoils quickly and smells awful if not kept cold.
Usage: Used for strong, fishy odors.
19. As greasy as fast food wrappers
Meaning: Oily and dirty
Example Sentence:
– His hands were as greasy as fast food wrappers.
– The table felt as greasy as fast food wrappers.
Other ways to say: Slippery, oily
Fun Fact/Origin: Fast food is popular but often leaves grease behind.
Usage: Describes greasy surfaces or hands.
20. Like moldy bathroom tiles
Meaning: Old and gross
Example Sentence:
– The walls were like moldy bathroom tiles.
– That smell was like moldy bathroom tiles.
Other ways to say: Grimy, mildewed
Fun Fact/Origin: Moisture makes mold grow, especially in bathrooms.
Usage: Used to describe dirty, damp places.
21. As smelly as a skunk
Meaning: Very stinky
Example Sentence:
– That roadkill was as smelly as a skunk.
– The pet cage was as smelly as a skunk.
Other ways to say: Foul, reeking
Fun Fact/Origin: Skunks spray a powerful odor when scared.
Usage: Used for terrible smells.
22. Like old socks in a gym bag
Meaning: Strong, unpleasant odor
Example Sentence:
– That locker smelled like old socks in a gym bag.
– His car smelled like old socks in a gym bag.
Other ways to say: Stale, musty
Fun Fact/Origin: Gym socks are often used in jokes about bad smells.
Usage: Used to describe stinky clothes or places.
23. As rotten as a cracked egg
Meaning: Completely spoiled
Example Sentence:
– That odor was as rotten as a cracked egg.
– The fridge smelled as rotten as a cracked egg.
Other ways to say: Spoiled, foul
Fun Fact/Origin: Rotten eggs give off a sulfur-like gas.
Usage: Describes spoiled food.
24. Like chewing gum stuck under a desk
Meaning: Gross and unexpected
Example Sentence:
– That slime felt like chewing gum stuck under a desk.
– It was like chewing gum stuck under a desk—ew!
Other ways to say: Sticky, nasty
Fun Fact/Origin: Students often stick gum under desks in U.S. schools.
Usage: Used for surprise grossness.
25. As gunky as a kitchen sponge
Meaning: Full of grime and old food
Example Sentence:
– That dishcloth was as gunky as a kitchen sponge.
– The sink was as gunky as a kitchen sponge.
Other ways to say: Dirty, slimy
Fun Fact/Origin: Sponges can trap bacteria and smell bad.
Usage: Used when something is old and dirty.
26. Like stepping in dog poop
Meaning: A gross experience
Example Sentence:
– Cleaning that mess was like stepping in dog poop.
– The backyard smelled like stepping in dog poop.
Other ways to say: Nasty, gross
Fun Fact/Origin: Many Americans pick up after dogs to avoid this.
Usage: Used to describe a gross or unlucky moment.
27. As fuzzy as spoiled fruit
Meaning: Covered in mold
Example Sentence:
– That peach was as fuzzy as spoiled fruit.
– The strawberries were as fuzzy as spoiled fruit.
Other ways to say: Moldy, gone bad
Fun Fact/Origin: Mold gives spoiled fruit a fuzzy look.
Usage: Describes moldy food.
28. Like a sink full of old dishes
Meaning: Very dirty and smelly
Example Sentence:
– The kitchen smelled like a sink full of old dishes.
– That house was like a sink full of old dishes.
Other ways to say: Filthy, stinky
Fun Fact/Origin: Dirty dishes can grow mold and stink.
Usage: Describes messy kitchens or homes.
29. As sticky as soda spilled on a floor
Meaning: Sticky and unpleasant
Example Sentence:
– My shoes were as sticky as soda spilled on a floor.
– The desk was as sticky as soda spilled on a floor.
Other ways to say: Tacky, gluey
Fun Fact/Origin: Soda spills are common in schools and theaters.
Usage: Used for sticky, sugary messes.
30. Like spoiled milk in a lunchbox
Meaning: Smelly and curdled
Example Sentence:
– That cup smelled like spoiled milk in a lunchbox.
– The inside of the car was like spoiled milk in a lunchbox.
Other ways to say: Sour, nasty
Fun Fact/Origin: Many U.S. kids have spilled milk in lunchboxes.
Usage: Used to describe a curdled smell.
31. As foul as dirty dishwater
Meaning: Cloudy and stinky
Example Sentence:
– The tub water was as foul as dirty dishwater.
– The mop bucket looked as foul as dirty dishwater.
Other ways to say: Gross, murky
Fun Fact/Origin: Dishwater collects grease and food scraps.
Usage: Used to describe cloudy or dirty liquids.
32. Like a bug crawling on your food
Meaning: Gross and makes you feel sick
Example Sentence:
– Seeing that was like a bug crawling on your food.
– Her reaction was like a bug crawling on her sandwich.
Other ways to say: Icky, nasty
Fun Fact/Origin: Bugs are a big turn-off in American dining.
Usage: Used for things that ruin your appetite.
33. As gooey as chewed gum
Meaning: Soft and unpleasant
Example Sentence:
– That slime was as gooey as chewed gum.
– The leftover pie was as gooey as chewed gum.
Other ways to say: Sticky, wet
Fun Fact/Origin: Gum gets gross after chewing.
Usage: Describes messy and gooey textures.
34. Like the smell of burnt popcorn
Meaning: A strong and awful smell
Example Sentence:
– The kitchen reeked like the smell of burnt popcorn.
– That hallway was like the smell of burnt popcorn.
Other ways to say: Charred, unpleasant
Fun Fact/Origin: Burnt popcorn is a common dorm room problem in the U.S.
Usage: Used to describe a burnt or sharp odor.
35. As nasty as a public restroom
Meaning: Very dirty and smelly
Example Sentence:
– That area was as nasty as a public restroom.
– The park bathroom was as nasty as a public restroom.
Other ways to say: Filthy, grimy
Fun Fact/Origin: Many people avoid using public restrooms because of how dirty they can be.
Usage: Used for very unclean places.
Quiz: Similes for Disgusting
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. These questions test how well you understand similes that describe disgusting things. Think about the comparisons and what they mean. Each question has one correct answer.
Question Key
1. What does “as gross as a moldy sandwich” mean?
A) It tastes sweet
B) It is spoiled and disgusting
C) It is fresh and warm
2. If something smells “like a trash can on a hot day,” what is it like?
A) It smells very clean
B) It has no smell at all
C) It smells really bad
3. “As slimy as a slug” means something feels:
A) Dry and rough
B) Sticky and gross
C) Hard and smooth
4. If something smells “like feet after gym class,” how does it smell?
A) Bad and sweaty
B) Fresh and clean
C) Like flowers
5. “As nasty as week-old garbage” tells us something is:
A) New and fun
B) Old and really gross
C) Warm and tasty
6. What does “like a toilet that hasn’t been cleaned” describe?
A) A very dirty place
B) A clean sink
C) A brand-new bathroom
7. “As stinky as old cheese” means something:
A) Smells very nice
B) Tastes sweet
C) Smells awful
8. What does it mean if something is “as greasy as fast food wrappers”?
A) It feels smooth and dry
B) It is oily and dirty
C) It is cold and crunchy
9. “Like fish left in the sun” means:
A) It has a light smell
B) It smells fresh
C) It smells really bad
10. What does “like chewing gum stuck under a desk” mean?
A) It is clean and neat
B) It is soft and delicious
C) It is gross and sticky
11. “As crusty as an old scab” tells you something is:
A) Dry and gross
B) Cold and smooth
C) Soft and clean
12. “Like the smell of burnt popcorn” is used to say something:
A) Smells great
B) Smells sharp and bad
C) Has no smell
Answer Key
- B – It is spoiled and disgusting
- C – It smells really bad
- B – Sticky and gross
- A – Bad and sweaty
- B – Old and really gross
- A – A very dirty place
- C – Smells awful
- B – It is oily and dirty
- C – It smells really bad
- C – It is gross and sticky
- A – Dry and gross
- B – Smells sharp and bad
Wrapping Up
Similes are a fun way to describe things, even when they’re gross. In the USA, people often use these funny and strong comparisons to talk about disgusting smells, sights, or feelings. They help us understand and imagine things better. Whether it’s food gone bad or dirty socks, similes make the message clear.
Next time you smell something stinky or see something nasty, try using one of these similes. It might even make someone laugh. These phrases are common in American conversations, shows, and books.
