Sometimes, when we talk about people making silly or thoughtless choices, we might want to describe it in a creative and gentle way. In this article, you’ll find 23 similes for stupid that are easy to understand and help you share your thoughts clearly, kindly, and with a bit of humor. These similes are great for making your conversations or writing more colorful without being mean-spirited.
1. Like a screen door on a submarine
Meaning:
Completely useless or not making sense.
In a sentence:
That idea was like a screen door on a submarine.
Best use:
For describing bad plans.
Other ways to say:
- Like a snowman in the desert
- Like a bicycle with square wheels
2. Like trying to juggle water
Meaning:
Impossible and silly.
In a sentence:
His plan felt like trying to juggle water.
Best use:
For describing pointless efforts.
Other ways to say:
- Like catching smoke
- Like chasing the wind
3. Like a flashlight with no batteries
Meaning:
Not very helpful.
In a sentence:
That answer was like a flashlight with no batteries.
Best use:
For people giving useless advice.
Other ways to say:
- Like a car without gas
- Like a book with no words
4. Like a sandwich without bread
Meaning:
Missing something important.
In a sentence:
That explanation was like a sandwich without bread.
Best use:
For incomplete ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Like soup with no spoon
- Like shoes with no laces
5. Like a door with no handle
Meaning:
Hard to work with.
In a sentence:
Following those instructions felt like a door with no handle.
Best use:
For confusing directions.
Other ways to say:
- Like a puzzle with missing pieces
- Like a map with no roads
6. Like a pencil with no point
Meaning:
Completely pointless.
In a sentence:
That argument was like a pencil with no point.
Best use:
For silly conversations.
Other ways to say:
- Like a clock with no hands
- Like a phone with no signal
7. Like a fish riding a bicycle
Meaning:
Very out of place or strange.
In a sentence:
He looked like a fish riding a bicycle at that meeting.
Best use:
For awkward situations.
Other ways to say:
- Like a cat driving a car
- Like a chicken wearing shoes
8. Like a balloon made of lead
Meaning:
Not going anywhere.
In a sentence:
That plan sank like a balloon made of lead.
Best use:
For ideas that fail.
Other ways to say:
- Like a boat made of paper
- Like wings made of stone
9. Like a fire without heat
Meaning:
Missing the most important part.
In a sentence:
The project was like a fire without heat.
Best use:
For dull or empty projects.
Other ways to say:
- Like music with no sound
- Like cake with no sugar
10. Like socks on a rooster
Meaning:
Very silly and useless.
In a sentence:
That suggestion was like socks on a rooster.
Best use:
For describing ridiculous ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Like a hat on a fish
- Like shoes on a snake
11. Like a car with no wheels
Meaning:
Can’t move forward.
In a sentence:
That plan is like a car with no wheels.
Best use:
For stuck situations.
Other ways to say:
- Like a train without tracks
- Like a plane with no wings
12. Like a candle in the rain
Meaning:
Can’t survive tough situations.
In a sentence:
Their effort was like a candle in the rain.
Best use:
For weak attempts.
Other ways to say:
- Like a match in the wind
- Like ice in the sun
13. Like a ladder with missing steps
Meaning:
Dangerous and incomplete.
In a sentence:
That plan felt like a ladder with missing steps.
Best use:
For risky decisions.
Other ways to say:
- Like a bridge with holes
- Like a chair with three legs
14. Like a clock that never ticks
Meaning:
Completely useless.
In a sentence:
That excuse was like a clock that never ticks.
Best use:
For bad explanations.
Other ways to say:
- Like a bell that never rings
- Like a pen that never writes
15. Like a kite with no string
Meaning:
Out of control.
In a sentence:
His thoughts were like a kite with no string.
Best use:
For chaotic thinking.
Other ways to say:
- Like a boat with no anchor
- Like a ball with no air
16. Like a fork in a soup bowl
Meaning:
Totally the wrong tool.
In a sentence:
Asking him was like using a fork in a soup bowl.
Best use:
For unhelpful people.
Other ways to say:
- Like a spoon in a steakhouse
- Like a hammer at a tea party
17. Like a phone with no numbers
Meaning:
Completely unable to work.
In a sentence:
The plan was like a phone with no numbers.
Best use:
For broken systems.
Other ways to say:
- Like a door with no key
- Like a TV with no screen
18. Like shoes on the wrong feet
Meaning:
All mixed up.
In a sentence:
That idea was like shoes on the wrong feet.
Best use:
For backward ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Like socks that don’t match
- Like gloves on your feet
19. Like a sailboat in the desert
Meaning:
Totally out of place.
In a sentence:
His idea was like a sailboat in the desert.
Best use:
For strange suggestions.
Other ways to say:
- Like snow in summer
- Like penguins at the beach
20. Like a cup with a hole
Meaning:
It just doesn’t work.
In a sentence:
That plan was like a cup with a hole.
Best use:
For failing systems.
Other ways to say:
- Like a bucket with no bottom
- Like a bridge that ends early
21. Like a mirror in the dark
Meaning:
No purpose at all.
In a sentence:
That tool was like a mirror in the dark.
Best use:
For useless things.
Other ways to say:
- Like sunglasses at night
- Like headlights with no car
22. Like a recipe with no ingredients
Meaning:
Totally impossible.
In a sentence:
The project was like a recipe with no ingredients.
Best use:
For impossible tasks.
Other ways to say:
- Like a puzzle with no pieces
- Like a cake with no flour
23. Like an umbrella full of holes
Meaning:
Not helpful at all.
In a sentence:
The plan worked like an umbrella full of holes.
Best use:
For broken ideas.
Other ways to say:
- Like boots with no soles
- Like a roof with no shingles
Conclusion
Using similes like these can make it easier to describe silly or confusing ideas without being too harsh. They add a bit of humor while helping people understand exactly what you mean.
