“(As) blind as a bat” is a popular idiom that is used to describe someone who has poor eyesight or is unable to see clearly. The phrase has been in use for a long time and has become a part of the English language. In this article, we will explore the meaning, origin, and associations of this idiom.
Definitions
The phrase “(as) blind as a bat” is used to describe someone who has poor eyesight or is unable to see clearly. It is often used to exaggerate someone’s inability to see or to highlight the severity of their vision problems.
Origin
The origin of the phrase “(as) blind as a bat” is not clear, but it is believed to have originated in the 16th century. Bats have poor eyesight, and they use echolocation to navigate their surroundings. This means that they emit high-pitched sounds that bounce off objects and return to their ears, allowing them to determine the location of objects around them. This ability to navigate in the dark without relying on vision may have contributed to the association of bats with blindness.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the phrase “(as) blind as a bat” means “having very poor vision”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines it as “unable to see well”. The Oxford Dictionary describes it as “having very poor eyesight, especially in dim light”.
Associations
The phrase “(as) blind as a bat” is often associated with Halloween and horror movies. Bats are nocturnal animals that are often associated with darkness, mystery, and fear. The phrase is also used in a humorous or sarcastic way to describe someone who is not actually blind but has poor eyesight.
Synonyms
There are several synonyms for the phrase “(as) blind as a bat”, including “unable to see”, “visually impaired”, “sightless”, and “nearsighted”.
Antonyms
The antonyms of the phrase “(as) blind as a bat” include “sharp-sighted”, “keen-eyed”, “eagle-eyed”, and “clear-sighted”.
The same root words
The phrase “(as) blind as a bat” does not have any root words, but it is made up of two common English words: “blind” and “bat”.
Example Sentences
- After the accident, he was (as) blind as a bat and couldn’t see anything.
- She is (as) blind as a bat without her glasses.
- He stumbled around the dark room, (as) blind as a bat.
- The old man was (as) blind as a bat, but he could still hear very well.
- The driver was (as) blind as a bat in the heavy rain.
The phrase “(as) blind as a bat” is a popular idiom that is used to describe someone who has poor eyesight or is unable to see clearly. It is believed to have originated in the 16th century and is often associated with Halloween and horror movies. While the phrase may be used in a humorous or sarcastic way, it is important to remember that vision problems can be a serious issue for many people.