Poverty is when people do not have enough money to buy the things they need, like food, clothes, or a safe place to live. It can be a hard time for many families. People use similes to help describe what poverty feels like by comparing it to other things. Similes are comparisons that use words like “like” or “as” to make ideas easier to picture.
In this article, we will look at 50 similes that describe poverty. Each simile shows a different way to understand what it means to live with little money. These comparisons help us feel what others might be going through and talk about poverty in a clearer way. You will also find examples to help you use these similes in your own words.
Similes for Poverty
1. Like an empty pocket
Meaning: Having no money at all.
For Example: His pockets were like empty pockets after buying lunch. / After the shopping trip, her wallet felt like an empty pocket.
Alternatively: No money / Broke
2. As poor as a church mouse
Meaning: Very poor and having almost nothing.
For Example: Grandpa was as poor as a church mouse when he was young. / After losing his job, he felt as poor as a church mouse.
Alternatively: Very poor / Without money
3. Like a dried-up river
Meaning: Having no resources or money left.
For Example: Their savings were like a dried-up river after the big bills. / The family’s funds were like a dried-up river after the repairs.
Alternatively: No money left / Empty
4. As empty as a deserted house
Meaning: Having nothing inside, no money or food.
For Example: The fridge was as empty as a deserted house before payday. / His wallet was as empty as a deserted house.
Alternatively: Nothing inside / Bare
5. Like a broken wallet
Meaning: Not having any money to spend.
For Example: After the trip, my wallet felt like a broken wallet. / She looked at her broken wallet and sighed.
Alternatively: No cash / Empty
6. As thin as a starving bird
Meaning: Very skinny because of lack of food.
For Example: The stray dog was as thin as a starving bird. / He looked as thin as a starving bird during hard times.
Alternatively: Very thin / Hungry
7. Like a shadow without light
Meaning: Feeling empty and helpless.
For Example: Without money, his days felt like a shadow without light. / Life was like a shadow without light for the poor family.
Alternatively: Empty feeling / Hopeless
8. As poor as dirt
Meaning: Having almost no money or things.
For Example: She was as poor as dirt when she started the new job. / After paying the rent, he was as poor as dirt.
Alternatively: Very poor / Without wealth
9. Like a withered plant
Meaning: Weak and lifeless because of hardship.
For Example: The garden was like a withered plant without water. / The family felt like a withered plant during hard times.
Alternatively: Weak / Lacking life
10. As empty as a hollow tree
Meaning: Having nothing inside, no money or food.
For Example: The cupboards were as empty as a hollow tree. / Her purse was as empty as a hollow tree after bills.
Alternatively: Empty inside / Bare
11. Like a broken piggy bank
Meaning: No money saved or left to use.
For Example: The kids found their piggy bank was like a broken piggy bank. / After spending, his savings were like a broken piggy bank.
Alternatively: No savings / Empty
12. As poor as a lost coin
Meaning: Having no value or money.
For Example: She felt as poor as a lost coin in the street. / His pockets were as poor as a lost coin after the trip.
Alternatively: Worthless / No money
13. Like a cold fire
Meaning: Having no warmth or comfort, feeling empty.
For Example: Without food, the house was like a cold fire. / Their home felt like a cold fire without enough heat.
Alternatively: No warmth / Empty
14. As thin as paper
Meaning: Very skinny or weak because of hunger.
For Example: He looked as thin as paper after skipping meals. / The puppy was as thin as paper when found.
Alternatively: Very thin / Weak
15. Like a dry well
Meaning: Having no water or resources left.
For Example: The family’s money was like a dry well after the repairs. / Their savings felt like a dry well during the winter.
Alternatively: No resources / Empty
16. As poor as a peeled orange
Meaning: Bare and with nothing left.
For Example: His wallet was as poor as a peeled orange after shopping. / The pantry was as poor as a peeled orange before the food delivery.
Alternatively: Empty / Nothing left
17. Like a broken clock
Meaning: Useless or without hope.
For Example: Without money, his plans were like a broken clock. / The old tools were like a broken clock no help at all.
Alternatively: Useless / Hopeless
18. As hollow as a drum
Meaning: Empty inside, lacking something important.
For Example: The house felt as hollow as a drum without food. / His bank account was as hollow as a drum after bills.
Alternatively: Empty / Bare
19. Like a cracked pot
Meaning: Not useful or broken.
For Example: Their savings were like a cracked pot always leaking out. / The old stove was like a cracked pot, no good anymore.
Alternatively: Broken / Useless
20. As poor as a spider’s web
Meaning: Very weak and easy to break.
For Example: Their finances were as poor as a spider’s web in a storm. / His hopes were as fragile as a spider’s web.
Alternatively: Weak / Fragile
21. Like a frozen lake
Meaning: Stuck with no way to move forward.
For Example: Without money, they felt like a frozen lake. / The project was like a frozen lake, no progress.
Alternatively: Stuck / No change
22. As empty as an abandoned car
Meaning: Forgotten and without anything inside.
For Example: The house was as empty as an abandoned car. / Their cupboard was as empty as an abandoned car.
Alternatively: Empty / Forgotten
23. Like a torn coat
Meaning: Worn out and poor.
For Example: He wore a torn coat like someone struggling in winter. / The old clothes were like a torn coat ready to fall apart.
Alternatively: Worn / Poor
24. As thin as a rail
Meaning: Very skinny from hunger.
For Example: She was as thin as a rail after a tough winter. / The cat looked as thin as a rail when found.
Alternatively: Very skinny / Hungry
25. Like a candle without wax
Meaning: Not able to work or survive.
For Example: Their money was like a candle without wax could not burn. / The broken toy was like a candle without wax, no use.
Alternatively: Useless / Empty
26. As empty as a hollow shell
Meaning: Nothing inside, no money or hope.
For Example: His wallet was as empty as a hollow shell. / The room felt as empty as a hollow shell during hard times.
Alternatively: Empty / Bare
27. Like a dry leaf
Meaning: Weak and without life.
For Example: The family was like a dry leaf, struggling to survive. / The plants looked like dry leaves without water.
Alternatively: Weak / Lifeless
28. As poor as a shadow
Meaning: Having no substance or money.
For Example: After losing his job, he was as poor as a shadow. / Their funds were as poor as a shadow in the night.
Alternatively: No money / Weak
29. Like a broken string
Meaning: Not connected or able to work.
For Example: Their plan was like a broken string, falling apart. / The old guitar had a broken string, no sound.
Alternatively: Broken / Not working
30. As empty as a bird’s nest in winter
Meaning: Without anything inside, no food or money.
For Example: The fridge was as empty as a bird’s nest in winter. / His pockets felt as empty as a bird’s nest during cold months.
Alternatively: Empty / Bare
31. Like a deflated balloon
Meaning: No energy or hope left.
For Example: After losing the job, he felt like a deflated balloon. / The team was like a deflated balloon after the loss.
Alternatively: No energy / Sad
32. As poor as a forgotten toy
Meaning: Neglected and without value.
For Example: The old doll was as poor as a forgotten toy in the attic. / The family felt as poor as a forgotten toy when no one helped.
Alternatively: Neglected / Poor
33. Like a broken window
Meaning: Damaged and not useful.
For Example: Their home had a broken window like their finances were broken. / The broken window let the cold in like their empty pockets.
Alternatively: Broken / Useless
34. As bare as a winter tree
Meaning: Having nothing, no leaves or money.
For Example: The cupboards were as bare as a winter tree. / His bank account was as bare as a tree in winter.
Alternatively: Empty / Bare
35. Like a faded photograph
Meaning: Losing color, hope, or life.
For Example: Her dreams felt like a faded photograph after losing money. / The neighborhood looked like a faded photograph in hard times.
Alternatively: Losing hope / Weak
36. As poor as a broken toy
Meaning: Worthless or without money.
For Example: His savings were as poor as a broken toy. / The town was as poor as a broken toy after the storm.
Alternatively: Worthless / Poor
37. Like a cracked mirror
Meaning: Broken and not whole.
For Example: Their family was like a cracked mirror, struggling to stay together. / The broken mirror was like their hopes, cracked.
Alternatively: Broken / Not whole
38. As empty as a well without water
Meaning: Nothing left inside.
For Example: The wallet was as empty as a well without water. / Their savings were as empty as a dry well.
Alternatively: Empty / Bare
39. Like a leaf blown away by the wind
Meaning: Weak and without control.
For Example: The poor family felt like a leaf blown away by the wind. / His hopes were like a leaf blown by a storm.
Alternatively: Weak / Unstable
40. As poor as a burnt-out candle
Meaning: No energy or money left.
For Example: After bills, their funds were as poor as a burnt-out candle. / He felt as poor as a candle with no wax.
Alternatively: No energy / Empty
41. Like a cracked pot
Meaning: Broken and leaking what little it has.
For Example: Their savings were like a cracked pot always losing money. / The family felt like a cracked pot during hard times.
Alternatively: Losing / Broken
42. As empty as a forgotten book
Meaning: Left without use or value.
For Example: The old house was as empty as a forgotten book. / His chances were like a forgotten book, lost.
Alternatively: Forgotten / Empty
43. Like a cold winter night
Meaning: Hard and without comfort.
For Example: Life was like a cold winter night for the poor family. / Their house felt like a cold winter night without heat.
Alternatively: Hard / Uncomfortable
44. As poor as a mud puddle
Meaning: Low and dirty, without worth.
For Example: His chances were as poor as a mud puddle after the rain. / The town felt as poor as a muddy puddle after the flood.
Alternatively: Low / Poor
45. Like a broken fence
Meaning: Not protecting or safe.
For Example: Their home was like a broken fence, open to problems. / The family felt like a broken fence with no help.
Alternatively: Unsafe / Broken
46. As thin as a thread
Meaning: Very weak or fragile.
For Example: His hope was as thin as a thread during hard times. / The family’s savings were as thin as a thread.
Alternatively: Weak / Fragile
47. Like a lost key
Meaning: Without a way to fix or open new chances.
For Example: The family felt like a lost key, stuck with no help. / His future was like a lost key with no way forward.
Alternatively: Stuck / Lost
48. As empty as a forgotten cup
Meaning: Left without use or value.
For Example: The fridge was as empty as a forgotten cup on the shelf. / His hopes were as empty as a cup left behind.
Alternatively: Empty / Forgotten
49. Like a faded flag
Meaning: Losing color, pride, or strength.
For Example: The town was like a faded flag after the hard winter. / Their dreams were like a faded flag in the wind.
Alternatively: Weak / Faded
50. As poor as a silent bell
Meaning: Without sound or attention, unnoticed.
For Example: The poor family felt as poor as a silent bell no one hears. / His voice was like a silent bell, lost in the crowd.
Alternatively: Unnoticed / Poor
Similes for Poverty: True/False Quiz
- Saying “like an empty pocket” means someone has a lot of money.
True / False - If someone is “as poor as a church mouse,” it means they have very little money.
True / False - The simile “like a dried-up river” describes having many resources.
True / False - Saying “as thin as a starving bird” means someone is very skinny because they don’t have enough food.
True / False - If a wallet is “like a broken piggy bank,” it means it is full of savings.
True / False - Saying “like a cracked pot” means something is broken and losing what little it has.
True / False - The simile “as empty as a hollow tree” means there is nothing inside, like no money or food.
True / False - Saying “like a cold fire” means feeling warm and comfortable.
True / False - If someone is “as poor as a peeled orange,” it means they have nothing left.
True / False - Saying “like a dry well” means there are no resources or money left.
True / False - The simile “like a frozen lake” means things are moving quickly and easily.
True / False - Saying “like a lost key” means being stuck without a way to fix or change things.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Similes Master!
- 9–11 Correct Answers: You really get similes nice work!
- 5–8 Correct Answers: You’re learning, keep going!
- 0–4 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about similes together!
Conclusion
Similes help us understand poverty by comparing it to things we know, like empty pockets or dried-up rivers. These comparisons make the idea of poverty clearer and easier to picture. By learning these similes, you can better talk about hard times and show how people feel when they have little money.
Using similes helps words come alive and lets us share feelings in a simple way. Keep practicing these phrases to make your speaking and writing stronger.
