If you\u2019ve been around English speakers long enough, chances are you\u2019ve heard the phrase \u201cstrong like bull\u201d; maybe it\u2019s even been directed at you. Maybe at the time, you took it like a compliment, perhaps you thought it was an insult, or maybe you can\u2019t even begin to guess what it means.<\/p>\n
Whatever the case, you\u2019ve wound up here to find answers.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s break it down to make sure you not only understand the idiom but can use it in your day-to-day conversations.<\/p>\n
Unlike many other idioms, the phrase \u201cstrong like bull\u201d means exactly what you would expect.<\/p>\n
\u201cStrong like bull\u201d means strong like bull.<\/p>\n
Bulls are incredibly large and powerful animals. \u201cStrong like bull\u201d is a simile<\/strong>; a comparison using like <\/em>or as<\/em>.<\/p>\n \u201cStrong as bull\u201d can be used to describe a person's physical strength and often alludes to their overall fitness and stamina, as well.<\/p>\n To be \u201cstrong like bull\u201d is to possess great strength and physical fortitude.<\/strong><\/p>\n The phrase \u201cstrong like bull\u201d is unique as it can be directed at the speaker or the listener. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n Mary is working on the farm and lifting heavy equipment by herself. Laura asks her if she needs help, and Mary replies: \u201cI\u2019ve got it. I\u2019m strong like bull.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In this case, Mary is showing off her strength. Here\u2019s an example of the phrase being directed at the listener:<\/p>\n Oliver is working out with Jake and is impressed by the amount he can lift. In excitement, he says: \u201cWow! Strong like bull!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Here, Oliver is commending Jake on his strength and likening it to that of a bull. It is a compliment.<\/p>\n While the origin of the phrase is unclear and likely older than most people think, the idiom was popularized in the 1950s<\/a>. Uncle Tonoose, a character on the sitcom The Danny Thomas Show<\/a>, said the phrase to describe his physical state while at a doctor\u2019s appointment.<\/p>\n The meaning of the phrase has not changed much over time; it still means strong, fit, and healthy. However, in modern use, the focus is usually on the strength aspect.<\/p>\n Additionally, \"strong like bull\" has come to be used in conjunction with other idioms and usually has a follow-up phrase said by the original speaker or the listener.<\/p>\n It is unknown where the phrase first originated, but it is likely to have agricultural roots.<\/p>\n \u201cStrong like bull\u201d is a fairly common idiom, but depending on the region can have different variations. Here are some other sayings that mean strong, fit, healthy, tough, etc.<\/p>\n The first three are synonymous with \u201cstrong like bull,\u201d and the rest are similar enough that there is crossover in the situations in which they may be used.<\/p>\n The idiom \u201cstrong like bull\u201d can be used in many situations. Generally, it is a casual quip following a show of strength<\/strong>. It can also be used when talking about someone who isn\u2019t there, describing someone else or yourself, and sincerely or sarcastically.<\/p>\n While the phrase is a neutral to positive term, it can be combined with other idioms to poke fun at someone. A common follow-up someone might use is \u201csmell like one too\u201d to reverse the compliment into an insult. Here\u2019s an example:<\/p>\n Paula feels proud after moving many boxes into her new apartment. She exclaims: \u201cStrong like bull!\u201d while striking a pose.<\/em><\/p>\n Her friend Nina who has been helping her move says: \u201cSmell like one too!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n In this case, the statement is split between two people and used in a friendly and jesting manner, but Paula could have said the second half as well, or, in a different situation, Nina could have said, \u201csmell like one too\u201d to be rude.<\/p>\n \u201cStrong like bull\u201d is also a common phrase used to describe someone in conjunction with the idioms: \u201csmart like streetcar,\u201d \u201csmart like tractor,\u201d \u201csmart like dump truck,\u201d or \u201csmart like stump.\u201d<\/p>\n In this case, the saying is describing someone with lots of brawn and little brain<\/strong>. Example:<\/p>\n Nick might describe Anna as \u201cstrong like bull, smart like streetcar\u201d to say that while she is strong, she is not very intelligent.<\/em><\/p>\n While this is more on the rude side, it is not always outright insulting, depending on the intention behind it.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" If you\u2019ve been around English speakers long enough, chances are you\u2019ve heard the phrase \u201cstrong like bull\u201d; maybe it\u2019s even been directed at you. Maybe at the time, you took it like a compliment, perhaps you thought it was an insult, or maybe you can\u2019t even begin to guess what it means. Whatever the case, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=64"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":126,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/64\/revisions\/126"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=64"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=64"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=64"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Examples<\/h2>\n
Origin<\/h2>\n
Similar Idioms<\/h2>\n
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Proper Use<\/h2>\n