Life is full of ups and downs. Sometimes, we experience moments of bad luck, failure, or misfortune, and finding the right words to describe these tough times can be difficult.
That’s where similes come in! A simile compares two things using “like” or “as” to create strong, vivid imagery. Instead of saying “He was very unlucky,” you can say “He was as unlucky as a gambler on a losing streak.”
In this article, we’ll explore creative similes for unfortunate situations, broken into different categories based on the type of misfortune. Whether you’re writing stories, poetry, or just want to express emotions better, these similes will help!
Similes for General Bad Luck
Sometimes, people just seem to have bad luck following them. These similes describe that feeling.
1. As unlucky as a broken mirror
- Meaning: Since a broken mirror is said to bring bad luck, this simile describes extreme misfortune.
- Example: Ever since he lost his job, he had been as unlucky as a broken mirror, with everything going wrong.
2. Like a black cat crossing your path
- Meaning: Refers to the superstition that a black cat brings bad luck.
- Example: Getting caught in the rain without an umbrella felt like a black cat crossing my path—just my luck!
3. As doomed as a sinking ship
- Meaning: Describes a situation that is bound to fail.
- Example: Their business was as doomed as a sinking ship, with debt piling up every day.
4. Like a gambler on a losing streak
- Meaning: Describes someone experiencing continuous bad luck.
- Example: No matter how hard she tried, luck wasn’t on her side—she was like a gambler on a losing streak.
5. As cursed as a haunted house
- Meaning: Describes someone or something that seems permanently unlucky.
- Example: His attempts to start a new life were as cursed as a haunted house, always ending in disaster.
Similes for Financial Misfortune
Money troubles can feel overwhelming. These similes describe financial bad luck.
6. As poor as a church mouse
- Meaning: Describes someone extremely poor.
- Example: After losing his savings, he was as poor as a church mouse, struggling to make ends meet.
7. Like a beggar in a storm
- Meaning: Describes someone in a hopeless financial situation.
- Example: With no money and no job, he felt like a beggar in a storm, abandoned by fate.
8. As empty as a thief’s conscience
- Meaning: Describes an empty bank account or wallet.
- Example: After paying all the bills, his pockets were as empty as a thief’s conscience.
9. Like a wallet with a hole in it
- Meaning: Describes constantly losing or spending money.
- Example: No matter how much he earned, he was like a wallet with a hole in it—always broke.
10. As drained as a dried-up well
- Meaning: Describes financial exhaustion.
- Example: His funds were as drained as a dried-up well, with nothing left to spend.
Similes for Emotional and Personal Struggles
Unfortunate situations don’t always involve money—they can also be about personal pain and struggles.
11. As lost as a ship without a compass
- Meaning: Describes someone who feels directionless in life.
- Example: After the breakup, she felt as lost as a ship without a compass, unsure of where to go next.
12. Like a candle flickering in the wind
- Meaning: Describes someone struggling to keep going.
- Example: After years of fighting illness, he was like a candle flickering in the wind, barely holding on.
13. As lonely as a forgotten grave
- Meaning: Describes deep loneliness and abandonment.
- Example: After moving to a new city, she felt as lonely as a forgotten grave, with no one to talk to.
14. Like a flower wilting without sunlight
- Meaning: Describes someone emotionally drained.
- Example: Without her dreams, she felt like a flower wilting without sunlight, fading away.
15. As broken as a shattered mirror
- Meaning: Describes someone emotionally devastated.
- Example: After the tragic accident, his spirit was as broken as a shattered mirror.
Similes for Unexpected Misfortune
Sometimes, bad luck comes out of nowhere. These similes describe sudden misfortune.
16. Like a rug pulled from under your feet
- Meaning: Describes a sudden, shocking misfortune.
- Example: Losing his job without warning felt like a rug pulled from under his feet.
17. As unlucky as stepping on a rake
- Meaning: Describes someone who always seems to run into bad luck.
- Example: Every time he tried something new, he was as unlucky as stepping on a rake.
18. Like lightning striking the same place twice
- Meaning: Describes rare, repeated bad luck.
- Example: Failing the same test twice was like lightning striking the same place twice—almost unbelievable.
19. As doomed as a match in a hurricane
- Meaning: Describes a hopeless situation.
- Example: His business was as doomed as a match in a hurricane, unable to survive the crisis.
20. Like a bridge collapsing under weight
- Meaning: Describes someone overwhelmed by problems.
- Example: She felt like a bridge collapsing under weight, struggling to keep going.
Similes for Repeated Failures
Some people try but just can’t catch a break. These similes describe ongoing misfortune.
21. As unlucky as rolling snake eyes
- Meaning: Refers to bad luck in gambling.
- Example: Every time he tried, he was as unlucky as rolling snake eyes.
22. Like a bird flying into a glass window
- Meaning: Describes someone repeatedly failing.
- Example: No matter how hard he tried, he was like a bird flying into a glass window—stuck in failure.
23. As hopeless as a fish out of water
- Meaning: Describes someone completely out of their depth.
- Example: He felt as hopeless as a fish out of water in his new job.
24. Like a cart with square wheels
- Meaning: Describes something bound to fail.
- Example: Their plan was like a cart with square wheels, never getting anywhere.
25. As doomed as a candle in a storm
- Meaning: Describes an inevitable failure.
- Example: His attempt to win the case was as doomed as a candle in a storm.
Conclusion: Turning Misfortune into Words
Bad luck can be frustrating, painful, and challenging, but words help us express these struggles. These 35 similes capture different shades of misfortune, from bad luck to heartbreak.
Which simile do you relate to the most? Or do you have one of your own? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 😊
