We often think about things that happened before today. These are called the past. The past can be yesterday, last week, or even a long time ago. We remember fun times, like birthday parties, trips, or stories that Grandma told. We also remember things that helped us learn and grow.
Writers use special phrases called similes to talk about the past. A simile says something is like something else. For example, we might say, “That day was like a dream,” to show it felt very special. Similes help us make pictures in our minds. In this article, we will learn about similes that help us talk about the past in fun and easy ways.
Similes about the Past
1. Like a faded photo
Meaning: Something old and hard to see clearly
To Provide an Example: Grandma’s story was like a faded photo. / That day at the zoo feels like a faded photo.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that’s still there but not very clear
2. Like a dusty book
Meaning: Something from a long time ago
To Provide an Example: The old fair was like a dusty book. / My baby pictures are like a dusty book.
Alternative Meaning: A memory we don’t look at often
3. Like an old song
Meaning: Something that brings back a feeling
To Provide an Example: That smell was like an old song. / Her voice was like an old song I knew.
Alternative Meaning: A happy reminder from before
4. Like yesterday’s news
Meaning: Something no longer talked about
To Provide an Example: That toy is like yesterday’s news. / The story we told is like yesterday’s news.
Alternative Meaning: Something forgotten
5. Like a broken toy
Meaning: Something once fun that is now gone
To Provide an Example: My trip to the farm is like a broken toy now. / That game we used to play is like a broken toy.
Alternative Meaning: A past moment that can’t come back
6. Like a paper airplane
Meaning: Something that flew by fast
To Provide an Example: Summer break felt like a paper airplane. / That fun day was like a paper airplane.
Alternative Meaning: A quick, fun memory
7. Like an old shoe
Meaning: Something we knew very well
To Provide an Example: Our old school is like an old shoe. / The walk home used to feel like an old shoe.
Alternative Meaning: Familiar and comfortable memory
8. Like melted ice cream
Meaning: Something good that didn’t last long
To Provide an Example: The carnival was like melted ice cream. / The sleepover was like melted ice cream.
Alternative Meaning: A fun moment that ended fast
9. Like a bedtime story
Meaning: Something soft and easy to remember
To Provide an Example: That day at the beach is like a bedtime story. / Her hugs felt like a bedtime story.
Alternative Meaning: Sweet and peaceful memory
10. Like a whisper in the wind
Meaning: A quiet, far-away memory
To Provide an Example: My first pet is like a whisper in the wind. / The baby’s laugh is like a whisper in the wind.
Alternative Meaning: Something soft and hard to hold on to
11. Like a worn blanket
Meaning: Something old but comforting
To Provide an Example: Grandma’s kitchen is like a worn blanket. / My teddy bear from preschool is like a worn blanket.
Alternative Meaning: Old memory that still makes us feel good
12. Like footprints in snow
Meaning: A moment that’s still there, but fading
To Provide an Example: That class field trip is like footprints in snow. / His joke is like footprints in snow.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that slowly goes away
13. Like a campfire smell
Meaning: Something from the past that stays with you
To Provide an Example: Our camping trip is like a campfire smell. / That hug from Mom is like a campfire smell.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that sticks with us
14. Like a shadow at sunset
Meaning: A memory that slowly disappears
To Provide an Example: That old house is like a shadow at sunset. / My old classroom feels like a shadow at sunset.
Alternative Meaning: Something we remember less over time
15. Like bubbles in the air
Meaning: Something fun that went away fast
To Provide an Example: Our water balloon fight is like bubbles in the air. / That dance party was like bubbles in the air.
Alternative Meaning: A fun past moment that didn’t last
16. Like a leaf on the wind
Meaning: A memory that moves and floats
To Provide an Example: My first bike ride is like a leaf on the wind. / That joke from Dad is like a leaf on the wind.
Alternative Meaning: A gentle, moving memory
17. Like a whisper in a story
Meaning: A quiet memory that we don’t say much
To Provide an Example: Our old pet is like a whisper in a story. / That old friend is like a whisper in a story.
Alternative Meaning: A soft and hidden memory
18. Like old paint on a wall
Meaning: Something from the past that still shows
To Provide an Example: Our family trip is like old paint on a wall. / That summer felt like old paint on a wall.
Alternative Meaning: Something from long ago that’s still there
19. Like a faded sticker
Meaning: A memory that’s still there, but not bright
To Provide an Example: My first drawing is like a faded sticker. / Her birthday party is like a faded sticker.
Alternative Meaning: A sweet but fading memory
20. Like a bell from far away
Meaning: A memory you can almost hear
To Provide an Example: His laugh is like a bell from far away. / That old song is like a bell from far away.
Alternative Meaning: A sound that brings back the past
21. Like a road behind you
Meaning: Something that has already happened
To Provide an Example: Third grade is like a road behind you. / Last summer is like a road behind you.
Alternative Meaning: A past time we walked through
22. Like a soft cloud
Meaning: A light and gentle memory
To Provide an Example: Our picnic day is like a soft cloud. / That hug felt like a soft cloud.
Alternative Meaning: A nice and peaceful past moment
23. Like a school bell that rang
Meaning: A moment that came and went
To Provide an Example: The spelling bee was like a school bell that rang. / Her birthday was like a school bell that rang.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that ended quickly
24. Like the smell of cookies
Meaning: A sweet memory that makes us smile
To Provide an Example: That sleepover is like the smell of cookies. / The snow day was like the smell of cookies.
Alternative Meaning: A warm and happy time
25. Like a song you forgot
Meaning: Something you once loved but don’t think of often
To Provide an Example: My old toy is like a song you forgot. / That storybook is like a song you forgot.
Alternative Meaning: A quiet memory waiting to come back
26. Like a lost balloon
Meaning: A good thing that floated away
To Provide an Example: My old pet is like a lost balloon. / The trip to Grandma’s is like a lost balloon.
Alternative Meaning: A past that is gone
27. Like writing in the sand
Meaning: A memory that faded away
To Provide an Example: Our beach day is like writing in the sand. / That joke is like writing in the sand.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that didn’t last
28. Like crayons on old paper
Meaning: A faded but sweet past
To Provide an Example: My first art is like crayons on old paper. / That craft is like crayons on old paper.
Alternative Meaning: Something old, still loved
29. Like a cold snowflake
Meaning: A moment that was cool and short
To Provide an Example: Our sledding trip is like a cold snowflake. / That snowball fight is like a cold snowflake.
Alternative Meaning: A fun time that didn’t stay long
30. Like a balloon pop
Meaning: Something fun that ended fast
To Provide an Example: The party was like a balloon pop. / That fun game was like a balloon pop.
Alternative Meaning: Quick and over before we knew it
31. Like a playground after recess
Meaning: Something empty after joy
To Provide an Example: The end of the school year was like a playground after recess. / The fair felt like a playground after recess when it was over.
Alternative Meaning: A quiet moment after fun
32. Like falling leaves
Meaning: Time passing softly
To Provide an Example: The fall days are like falling leaves. / Our time together felt like falling leaves.
Alternative Meaning: Gentle moments going by
33. Like a picture in a scrapbook
Meaning: A memory kept in our mind
To Provide an Example: That day with Dad is like a picture in a scrapbook. / Her birthday is like a picture in a scrapbook.
Alternative Meaning: A special moment we hold
34. Like a light in the dark
Meaning: A good memory during a hard time
To Provide an Example: Her hug was like a light in the dark. / The fun day at the zoo was like a light in the dark.
Alternative Meaning: A memory that made us feel better
35. Like stars in the sky
Meaning: Many memories shining
To Provide an Example: My old friends are like stars in the sky. / That year felt like stars in the sky.
Alternative Meaning: Bright and happy moments
36. Like a balloon at a party
Meaning: A fun memory that lifted us
To Provide an Example: My birthday was like a balloon at a party. / That joke was like a balloon at a party.
Alternative Meaning: Joyful and light
37. Like a quiet room
Meaning: A calm and still past
To Provide an Example: That summer evening is like a quiet room. / Grandma’s house felt like a quiet room.
Alternative Meaning: A gentle memory
38. Like a bell that stopped ringing
Meaning: A happy sound that’s now gone
To Provide an Example: That fun song is like a bell that stopped ringing. / My pet’s bark is like a bell that stopped ringing.
Alternative Meaning: A happy thing we remember
39. Like a gift we opened
Meaning: A special time we had
To Provide an Example: Our sleepover was like a gift we opened. / That snow day was like a gift we opened.
Alternative Meaning: A wonderful moment
40. Like a rain puddle drying up
Meaning: A fun memory that didn’t last
To Provide an Example: Splashing in the rain was like a puddle drying up. / That funny story was like a puddle drying up.
Alternative Meaning: A short but fun time
41. Like a path through the woods
Meaning: A way we once walked
To Provide an Example: Our walk to school is like a path through the woods. / The park trip is like a path through the woods.
Alternative Meaning: A journey we remember
42. Like cookies from the oven
Meaning: Something warm and sweet
To Provide an Example: Grandma’s hugs are like cookies from the oven. / That rainy day story is like cookies from the oven.
Alternative Meaning: A cozy memory
43. Like stars that faded
Meaning: Bright memories that are now gone
To Provide an Example: That summer is like stars that faded. / Her birthday party is like stars that faded.
Alternative Meaning: Once bright, now quiet
44. Like water in your hands
Meaning: Something you can’t hold onto
To Provide an Example: The fun of kindergarten is like water in your hands. / That weekend is like water in your hands.
Alternative Meaning: Hard to keep but nice to feel
45. Like a song in the wind
Meaning: A memory that feels like music
To Provide an Example: The bedtime stories are like a song in the wind. / Her laugh is like a song in the wind.
Alternative Meaning: A happy sound from before
46. Like a quiet goodbye
Meaning: A memory that gently ended
To Provide an Example: Our last day at school was like a quiet goodbye. / That visit was like a quiet goodbye.
Alternative Meaning: Something ended softly
47. Like a shell from the beach
Meaning: A small thing that reminds us of the past
To Provide an Example: That sticker book is like a shell from the beach. / My baby blanket is like a shell from the beach.
Alternative Meaning: A small reminder we keep
48. Like the last page of a book
Meaning: The end of a special time
To Provide an Example: Third grade was like the last page of a book. / Our trip felt like the last page of a book.
Alternative Meaning: Something special that ended
49. Like the smell of rain
Meaning: A soft memory that comes and goes
To Provide an Example: Her voice is like the smell of rain. / That movie night is like the smell of rain.
Alternative Meaning: A gentle and light memory
50. Like morning turning into day
Meaning: A past moment that led to something new
To Provide an Example: Our school play is like morning turning into day. / That class project is like morning turning into day.
Alternative Meaning: A good beginning that brought something better
Trials for Success: Similes about the Past
- Our trip to the zoo felt like a ________ in a scrapbook.
- Her laugh is like a ________ from far away.
- That sleepover was like a ________ at a party.
- His old toy is like a ________ toy.
- The end of summer was like the ________ of a book.
- My old school feels like an ________ shoe.
- That camping trip is like a ________ smell.
- The class play was like a ________ turning into day.
- My first drawing is like a ________ on old paper.
- That snowball fight felt like a ________ in the air.
- Our beach day is like writing in the ________.
- That storybook is like a song you ________.
- Her birthday party was like ________ that faded.
- That fun weekend was like a ________ pop.
- Our walk to the library is like a ________ through the woods.
Answer Key
- picture
- bell
- balloon
- broken
- last page
- old
- campfire
- morning
- crayons
- bubbles
- sand
- forgot
- stars
- balloon
- path
Conclusion
The past is made of all the things we remember. Some are happy, some are soft, and some fade away. We use similes to talk about these memories in fun and easy ways. Similes help us show how the past feels using simple pictures.
When you think of something from before, try using a simile. It can help you tell others how special that moment was. Just like a balloon floating away or a song we forgot, our memories can be sweet, quick, or quiet. Keep those thoughts close, like pictures in a scrapbook.
