Crime is a serious topic, but writers sometimes use similes to describe it in interesting ways. A simile compares two things using the words “like” or “as.” These comparisons help readers picture something more clearly. For example, saying “He was as sneaky as a fox” gives us a better idea of how someone acted.
In this article, we will look at similes that describe crime or people who do wrong. These similes use simple images from everyday life. They help readers understand feelings, actions, or situations in a clearer way. By learning these similes, you’ll see how language can paint a picture with just a few words.
Similes about Crime
1. As sneaky as a thief in the night
Meaning: Something or someone who is very stealthy and secretive, often doing something wrong without being noticed.
Give an Instance: He moved as sneaky as a thief in the night, making sure no one saw him take the money. / Her actions were as sneaky as a thief in the night, hidden from everyone.
Substitute Meaning: Stealthy and secretive / Moving undetected
2. As slippery as a criminal escaping from jail
Meaning: Something or someone very difficult to catch or pin down, often because they are evasive.
Give an Instance: The suspect was as slippery as a criminal escaping from jail, always managing to avoid capture. / Her words were as slippery as a criminal escaping from jail, never straightforward.
Substitute Meaning: Hard to catch / Evasive and tricky
3. As quiet as a stolen car
Meaning: Something or someone that moves in silence or unnoticed, often for deceptive purposes.
Give an Instance: His footsteps were as quiet as a stolen car, making no sound as he approached. / The criminals moved as quiet as a stolen car, undetected by the guards.
Substitute Meaning: Silent and undetected / Moving without noise
4. As obvious as a smoking gun
Meaning: Something very clear or easy to spot, often a piece of evidence that points to guilt.
Give an Instance: The evidence left behind was as obvious as a smoking gun, clearly pointing to the suspect. / Her lie was as obvious as a smoking gun, everyone could tell she was hiding something.
Substitute Meaning: Clear and undeniable / Easily identifiable
5. As quick as a getaway driver
Meaning: Something happening at a very fast speed, often associated with escaping after committing a crime.
Give an Instance: He was as quick as a getaway driver, leaving the scene before anyone could react. / She was as quick as a getaway driver, running to escape without hesitation.
Substitute Meaning: Fast and swift / Moving quickly
6. As desperate as a criminal on the run
Meaning: Someone or something acting in a way that shows urgency and fear of being caught.
Give an Instance: He was as desperate as a criminal on the run, doing anything to avoid getting caught. / She felt as desperate as a criminal on the run, trying to find a way out.
Substitute Meaning: Urgent and fearful / Acting out of panic
7. As guilty as a robber caught in the act
Meaning: Feeling or appearing very guilty, often because of clear evidence or behavior.
Give an Instance: He looked as guilty as a robber caught in the act, trying to avoid eye contact. / Her face was as guilty as a robber caught in the act when they asked her about the stolen goods.
Substitute Meaning: Clearly guilty / Having no defense
8. As shady as a back alley deal
Meaning: Something or someone suspicious or dishonest, often associated with illegal activity.
Give an Instance: The whole situation was as shady as a back alley deal, and I couldn’t trust anyone involved. / His actions were as shady as a back alley deal, hidden and untrustworthy.
Substitute Meaning: Suspicious and dishonest / Untrustworthy
9. As silent as a locked vault
Meaning: Something or someone that is completely quiet and without any sign of activity.
Give an Instance: The room was as silent as a locked vault, with no sounds coming from inside. / The criminal’s confession was as silent as a locked vault, not revealing anything.
Substitute Meaning: Quiet and still / No sound or movement
10. As clear as day in a police lineup
Meaning: Something very obvious or easy to identify, especially when pointing to guilt or a crime.
Give an Instance: The fingerprints on the weapon were as clear as day in a police lineup, leaving no doubt. / His involvement in the crime was as clear as day in a police lineup.
Substitute Meaning: Very obvious / Easily identifiable
11. As slippery as an eel in a police interrogation
Meaning: Someone who is difficult to pin down or get a straight answer from, especially during questioning.
Give an Instance: The suspect was as slippery as an eel in a police interrogation, avoiding every question. / She was as slippery as an eel in a police interrogation, constantly changing her story.
Substitute Meaning: Hard to catch / Evading capture
12. As cold as a prison cell
Meaning: Something or someone emotionless, harsh, or unfeeling, often due to being stuck in a bad situation.
Give an Instance: His expression was as cold as a prison cell, showing no emotion during the trial. / The room was as cold as a prison cell, bare and uncomfortable.
Substitute Meaning: Emotionless and harsh / Unfeeling and harsh
13. As quick as a thief in the night
Meaning: Something happening at an incredibly fast speed, often in a sneaky way.
Give an Instance: She was as quick as a thief in the night, grabbing the bag and disappearing before anyone noticed. / The deal was made as quick as a thief in the night, without anyone realizing.
Substitute Meaning: Fast and sneaky / Swift and unnoticed
14. As sly as a fox in a criminal plot
Meaning: Someone who is very clever and sneaky, often with ill intentions.
Give an Instance: He was as sly as a fox in a criminal plot, planning every step carefully. / She was as sly as a fox in a criminal plot, always staying one step ahead.
Substitute Meaning: Clever and deceptive / Sneaky and crafty
15. As guilty as a rat in a trap
Meaning: Someone who is very clearly guilty, often with nowhere to hide.
Give an Instance: He was as guilty as a rat in a trap, cornered with no way out. / Her silence made her as guilty as a rat in a trap, everyone knew she was responsible.
Substitute Meaning: Clearly guilty / Trapped and exposed
16. As loud as a siren after a crime
Meaning: Something that is very obvious or attention-grabbing, often related to danger or crime.
Give an Instance: The alarm was as loud as a siren after a crime, drawing attention from everyone around. / His actions were as loud as a siren after a crime, making it impossible to ignore.
Substitute Meaning: Attention-grabbing / Very noticeable
17. As fast as a getaway car
Meaning: Moving or happening at a very high speed, often in the context of escape.
Give an Instance: The criminal ran as fast as a getaway car, trying to flee the scene. / She dashed out of the room as fast as a getaway car, not looking back.
Substitute Meaning: Quick and fast / Speedy escape
18. As suspicious as a locked briefcase
Meaning: Something that seems secretive or filled with hidden intentions.
Give an Instance: His behavior was as suspicious as a locked briefcase, making everyone wonder what he was hiding. / The deal seemed as suspicious as a locked briefcase, with no details shared.
Substitute Meaning: Secretive and suspicious / Full of hidden motives
19. As trapped as a rat in a cage
Meaning: Feeling stuck in a difficult situation, often due to committing a crime.
Give an Instance: After the police closed in, he felt as trapped as a rat in a cage, with no way out. / She was as trapped as a rat in a cage, caught by the evidence.
Substitute Meaning: Cornered and stuck / Unable to escape
20. As guilty as a prisoner on death row
Meaning: Someone who is undeniably guilty, often with no chance of escape or forgiveness.
Give an Instance: He was as guilty as a prisoner on death row, facing the consequences of his crime. / She felt as guilty as a prisoner on death row after confessing to the crime.
Substitute Meaning: Clearly guilty / Facing the consequences
21. As quick as a pickpocket’s hand
Meaning: Something that happens at an incredibly fast pace, often without being noticed.
Give an Instance: He snatched the phone as quick as a pickpocket’s hand, before anyone could react. / The thief moved as quick as a pickpocket’s hand, stealing wallets without detection.
Substitute Meaning: Swift and unnoticed / Very fast
22. As cold as a criminal’s heart
Meaning: Lacking compassion or emotion, often in a cruel or calculating way.
Give an Instance: His response was as cold as a criminal’s heart, showing no remorse for his actions. / The robbery was as cold as a criminal’s heart, without any care for the victims.
Substitute Meaning: Unfeeling and cruel / Heartless
23. As suspicious as a strange van in the neighborhood
Meaning: Something that seems out of place or raises suspicion.
Give an Instance: The car parked outside was as suspicious as a strange van in the neighborhood, making everyone uneasy. / His actions were as suspicious as a strange van in the neighborhood.
Substitute Meaning: Odd and suspicious / Unusual and concerning
24. As desperate as a fugitive on the run
Meaning: Someone who is very desperate or in a dire situation, often because of committing a crime.
Give an Instance: He was as desperate as a fugitive on the run, doing anything to escape the authorities. / She acted as desperate as a fugitive on the run, trying to hide her tracks.
Substitute Meaning: Urgent and panicked / Feeling trapped
25. As calm as a detective on a stakeout
Meaning: Remaining cool and collected, especially in a tense or difficult situation.
Give an Instance: Despite the tension, she remained as calm as a detective on a stakeout, waiting for the right moment. / He sat there as calm as a detective on a stakeout, not showing any fear.
Substitute Meaning: Cool and collected / Unfazed
26. As sly as a cat burglar
Meaning: Very sneaky and clever, especially in a deceptive or secretive way.
Give an Instance: She was as sly as a cat burglar, always getting what she wanted without anyone noticing. / The thief was as sly as a cat burglar, moving quietly through the house.
Substitute Meaning: Cunning and sneaky / Clever and deceptive
27. As sneaky as a con artist
Meaning: Someone who is very deceptive and dishonest, usually for personal gain.
Give an Instance: He was as sneaky as a con artist, tricking people out of their money. / Her plan was as sneaky as a con artist, hiding the truth at every turn.
Substitute Meaning: Deceptive and dishonest / Tricky and manipulative
28. As dark as a criminal hideout
Meaning: Something secretive, shady, or suspicious, often related to hiding something illegal.
Give an Instance: The plans he showed were as dark as a criminal hideout, filled with secrets. / His motives seemed as dark as a criminal hideout, hidden from view.
Substitute Meaning: Secretive and shady / Hidden and suspicious
29. As obvious as a bank robbery in broad daylight
Meaning: Something that is glaringly obvious or undeniable.
Give an Instance: The criminal’s guilt was as obvious as a bank robbery in broad daylight, with no way to deny it. / The lie she told was as obvious as a bank robbery in broad daylight.
Substitute Meaning: Clear and undeniable / Easily visible
30. As slippery as a pickpocket’s fingers
Meaning: Something or someone very difficult to catch or hold onto, often due to deception.
Give an Instance: He was as slippery as a pickpocket’s fingers, always dodging questions and blame. / The thief’s movements were as slippery as a pickpocket’s fingers, quick and unnoticed.
Substitute Meaning: Hard to catch / Evasive and slippery
31. As quiet as a burglar in the night
Meaning: Someone or something moving silently or without being noticed, often for harmful purposes.
Give an Instance: The footsteps were as quiet as a burglar in the night, approaching without a sound. / The operation was as quiet as a burglar in the night, happening under the radar.
Substitute Meaning: Silent and unnoticed / Moving without sound
32. As trapped as a mouse in a mousetrap
Meaning: Feeling stuck or caught in a difficult or dangerous situation.
Give an Instance: He was as trapped as a mouse in a mousetrap, with no way to escape the authorities. / She felt as trapped as a mouse in a mousetrap, with no options left.
Substitute Meaning: Cornered and stuck / No escape
33. As guilty as a dog caught with a stolen bone
Meaning: Someone who is very obviously guilty, with no way to deny their actions.
Give an Instance: He was as guilty as a dog caught with a stolen bone, caught red-handed with the stolen goods. / She looked as guilty as a dog caught with a stolen bone, unable to hide the truth.
Substitute Meaning: Clearly guilty / Caught in the act
34. As careless as a criminal leaving evidence behind
Meaning: Someone who is extremely careless and neglectful, especially when it leads to getting caught.
Give an Instance: His actions were as careless as a criminal leaving evidence behind, exposing everything. / She was as careless as a criminal leaving evidence behind, making it easy to find out the truth.
Substitute Meaning: Reckless and careless / Unaware of the consequences
35. As obvious as fingerprints on a weapon
Meaning: Something that is very clear or easily spotted, especially evidence of guilt.
Give an Instance: His involvement in the crime was as obvious as fingerprints on a weapon. / The evidence against him was as obvious as fingerprints on a weapon.
Substitute Meaning: Very clear / Easily identifiable
36. As dangerous as a knife in the hands of a criminal
Meaning: Something that is very risky or potentially harmful.
Give an Instance: The situation was as dangerous as a knife in the hands of a criminal, full of potential harm. / His temper was as dangerous as a knife in the hands of a criminal, unpredictable and violent.
Substitute Meaning: Risky and harmful / Unpredictably dangerous
37. As sly as a fox in a heist
Meaning: Very clever and deceptive, often used in the context of a crime.
Give an Instance: The criminal was as sly as a fox in a heist, pulling off the robbery without anyone noticing. / His plan was as sly as a fox in a heist, executed flawlessly.
Substitute Meaning: Clever and sneaky / Deceptive and cunning
38. As cold as a hitman’s heart
Meaning: Lacking any emotion or compassion, particularly when it comes to committing a crime.
Give an Instance: His decisions were as cold as a hitman’s heart, making them without remorse. / She acted as cold as a hitman’s heart, without any guilt for her actions.
Substitute Meaning: Emotionless and cruel / Heartless
39. As sharp as a criminal’s mind
Meaning: Someone who is very clever, often in a dangerous or manipulative way.
Give an Instance: He was as sharp as a criminal’s mind, always planning his next move with precision. / Her strategy was as sharp as a criminal’s mind, calculated and effective.
Substitute Meaning: Clever and cunning / Highly intelligent and manipulative
40. As stuck as a criminal in a prison cell
Meaning: Feeling trapped with no way out of a difficult or dangerous situation.
Give an Instance: After being caught, he felt as stuck as a criminal in a prison cell, with no hope of escaping. / She was as stuck as a criminal in a prison cell, cornered with no defense.
Substitute Meaning: Cornered and trapped / No escape
41. As slippery as an alibi
Meaning: Something or someone difficult to trust, especially when trying to avoid responsibility.
Give an Instance: His explanation was as slippery as an alibi, always changing when questioned. / The criminal’s alibi was as slippery as an alibi, hard to believe.
Substitute Meaning: Untrustworthy / Hard to hold onto
42. As cunning as a criminal mastermind
Meaning: Extremely clever and skilled in planning or executing something, often with bad intentions.
Give an Instance: She was as cunning as a criminal mastermind, always staying one step ahead of the police. / The thief was as cunning as a criminal mastermind, pulling off the heist without a flaw.
Substitute Meaning: Clever and crafty / Highly skilled
43. As untraceable as a stolen identity
Meaning: Something or someone that cannot be tracked or linked back to its source.
Give an Instance: The scam was as untraceable as a stolen identity, leaving no evidence behind. / His actions were as untraceable as a stolen identity, making it impossible to prove.
Substitute Meaning: Hidden and untraceable / Hard to track
44. As unpredictable as a criminal’s next move
Meaning: Something that is difficult to anticipate or plan for.
Give an Instance: The situation was as unpredictable as a criminal’s next move, making it hard to prepare for what would happen. / Her mood was as unpredictable as a criminal’s next move, always changing.
Substitute Meaning: Uncertain and changeable / Impossible to predict
45. As ruthless as a hitman on a mission
Meaning: Someone who is merciless or cruel, without any regard for others.
Give an Instance: His actions were as ruthless as a hitman on a mission, showing no care for who was hurt. / She was as ruthless as a hitman on a mission, doing anything to achieve her goal.
Substitute Meaning: Merciless and cruel / Uncaring
Find the “Similes about Crime”
Reading Passage
It was a quiet night when Detective Thompson received a call. There had been another robbery in the neighborhood, and he knew it was as obvious as a bank robbery in broad daylight. The suspect had been as quick as a getaway driver, slipping in and out of the store in no time. As Thompson examined the scene, he felt like a criminal on a stakeout, looking for clues and trying to piece together what had happened.
The suspect, it seemed, was as sneaky as a thief in the night, leaving no sign of their presence. But then, Thompson spotted something that was as clear as fingerprints on a weapon — a clue that would lead him straight to the criminal. The officer knew the suspect would try to cover their tracks, but Thompson was as determined as a detective on a stakeout, unwilling to let the criminal escape.
As the investigation went on, the suspect’s story was as slippery as an eel in a police interrogation, constantly changing and hard to pin down. The detective finally got his break when the criminal was caught as guilty as a rat in a trap. With the evidence clear, the suspect had nowhere to hide. The case was solved, and Thompson felt as satisfied as a criminal mastermind who had pulled off the perfect crime.
Instructions
Read the passage again. Underline or list all the similes about crime you can find.
Answer Key
- As obvious as a bank robbery in broad daylight
- As quick as a getaway driver
- Like a criminal on a stakeout
- As sneaky as a thief in the night
- As clear as fingerprints on a weapon
- As determined as a detective on a stakeout
- As slippery as an eel in a police interrogation
- As guilty as a rat in a trap
- As satisfied as a criminal mastermind who had pulled off the perfect crime
- As cold as ice
Conclusion
Similes help us picture things more clearly. When we talk about crime using similes, we can better understand people’s actions, feelings, and choices. These comparisons make writing stronger and easier to imagine.
By learning similes like “as sly as a fox” or “like a shadow in the dark,” you can spot tricky behavior in stories or real life. They show how words can paint a clear picture with just a few simple ideas.
