Similes for blind offer writers a creative and vivid way to show what it means to be blind, not just in the physical sense, but also in the emotional or mental sense. A well-known simile for blind like as blind as a bat shows how someone might miss the obvious, fail to notice what’s right in front of them, or simply be unaware.
These comparisons highlight the idea of not seeing clearly, whether it’s due to literal blindness or a lack of awareness, understanding, or insight into a situation or character. Using blind simile examples in a poem, story, or even a casual expression brings emotion, depth, and even humor to your writing.
With the right comparison, blindness becomes more relatable and visual, turning a simple phrase into a strong emotional message.
Let’s explore similes for blind with meanings, origins, and examples—answering the common question: as blind as what?
As Blind As Simile Examples
If you’re writing poetry, storytelling, or simply looking to enhance your language, these as blind as simile examples will help you express the experience of blindness freshly and engagingly.
1. As Blind as a Bat
Meaning: It describes someone who is literally blind or completely unaware of what’s obvious.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a bat” originates from old folklore and early misconceptions, where bats were believed to be completely blind due to their nocturnal flying. Though untrue, the image stuck.
Example Sentences:
- “She was as blind as a bat in the unfamiliar city, unable to find her way.”
- “His vision was as blind as a bat, making it impossible for him to drive at night.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sightless as a shadow 🌑
- As blind as a mole 🦇
- As dark as a cave 🏞️
While “as blind as a bat” is widely known, bats are used in many similes beyond just blindness. Check out our similes for bat to see how they take flight in language.
2. As Blind as Oedipus
Meaning: That simile for a character blind to his flaws conveys a layered, tragic blindness, rooted in denial, self-realization, and the painful cost of truth uncovered too late.
Origin: The simile “as blind as Oedipus” originates from Greek tragedy, where Oedipus, upon discovering his tragic fate, blinds himself—a powerful act symbolizing moral and emotional blindness before physical sightlessness. His story reflects the irony of seeing yet not understanding.
Example Sentences:
- He was as blind as Oedipus, unable to see the damage he’d caused until it was far too late.
- Her pride made her as blind as Oedipus, refusing to accept what was right in front of her.
Other Ways to Say It:
- As doomed as a cursed king 👑
- As unaware as a prophecy unfolding
- As blindfolded by fate as myth allows
3. As Blind as a Deer in Headlights
Meaning: It conveys a stunned, momentary blindness—usually emotional or mental—caused by shock, fear, or overwhelming pressure.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a deer in headlights” originates from modern automotive culture, where deer are often seen frozen and disoriented by sudden light, unable to react. This behavior is linked to fear-induced paralysis, not literal blindness.
Example Sentences:
- “She was as blind as a deer in headlights when the unexpected news hit her.”
- “He froze, as blind as a deer in headlights, unsure of what to do next.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As lost as a child in a crowd 🧒
- As confused as a rabbit in a maze 🐇
- As dazed as a deer in the woods 🌲
4. As Blind as a Foggy Morning
Meaning: It conveys a soft, obscuring blindness—linked to confusion, indecision, or a lack of clarity in thought or emotion.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a foggy morning” comes from natural and poetic imagery, where dense morning fog creates low visibility and disorientation, blurring the world into a gray blur. It reflects uncertainty and hidden paths.
Example Sentences:
- “Her thoughts were as blind as a foggy morning, unclear and disoriented.”
- “The path ahead seemed as blind as a foggy morning, with no direction in sight.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As hazy as a misty lake 🌫️
- As unclear as a cloudy sky ☁️
- As foggy as a rainy day 🌧️
5. As Blind as a Closed Eye
Meaning: That a little bit funny similes for the blind conveys a deliberate or passive blindness, often tied to denial, ignorance, or the refusal to face reality.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a closed eye” stems from literal physical reality and poetic simplicity, where a shut eye is intentionally unseeing, blocking out light and perception. It suggests blindness by choice or circumstance.
Example Sentences:
- “His vision was as blind as a closed eye, unable to see anything around him.”
- “The world seemed as blind as a closed eye, everything hidden in darkness.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sightless as a shut window 🪟
- As blind as a sealed room 🚪
- As dark as a blindfolded gaze 🕶️
6. As Blind as a Sealed Envelope
Meaning: It conveys a quiet, contained blindness, linked to secrecy, mystery, or being unaware of what lies within or ahead.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a sealed envelope” comes from everyday objects and metaphorical language, where a sealed envelope holds information but cannot see or reveal it until opened. It symbolizes hidden knowledge or untapped potential.
Example Sentences:
- “She was as blind as a sealed envelope, unaware of the surprise party being planned.”
- “The truth was as blind as a sealed envelope, hidden from his understanding.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As blind as a locked chest 🔒
- As blind as a covered painting 🎨
- As sightless as a hidden treasure 🏴☠️
As Blind as What?
These emotional similes for being blind bring vivid meaning to situations of ignorance, denial, or deep love. Perfect for those who are wondering as bind as what.
7. As Blind as Love
Meaning: That poetic way to say someone is blind to love conveys a passionate, willful blindness—tied to desire, idealization, and seeing only what the heart wants, not what is real.
Origin: The simile “as blind as love” comes from literary, poetic, and philosophical traditions, where love is often portrayed as irrational, emotional, and indifferent to flaws or logic. The phrase reflects how affection can cloud judgment and perception.
Example Sentences:
- He was as blind as love, seeing only what he wanted and nothing more.
- Her loyalty was as blind as love—devoted, forgiving, and unaware of the cracks beneath
Other Ways to Say It:
- As enchanted as a dreamer in daylight ☀️
- As unaware as a rose without thorns 🌹
- As trusting as a heart with closed eyes ❤️
Love, pride, and denial can blind us to the faults of others, especially those who can’t be trusted. For vivid ways to express that, visit our similes for untrustworthy.
8. As Blind as Tiresias
Meaning: It conveys a paradoxical blindness—literal lack of sight paired with profound wisdom, often used to describe those who see truth beyond appearances.
Origin: The simile “as blind as Tiresias” originates from Greek mythology, where Tiresias, the blind prophet of Thebes, was physically sightless but spiritually all-seeing. His blindness was a divine punishment and a gateway to deeper insight.
Example Sentences:
- His judgment was as blind as Tiresias’—unseeing, yet somehow all-knowing.
- She wandered through the lies as blind as Tiresias, sensing more than she could ever see.
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sightless as fate itself
- As knowing as a prophet in the darkness
- As clear-eyed as blindness can be
9. As Blind as a Wallflower
Meaning: It conveys a quiet, self-effacing blindness—linked to shyness, invisibility, or not seeing one’s worth or presence in a crowd.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a wallflower” stems from social and literary imagery, where a wallflower is someone who blends into the background, often unnoticed and detached from the action. The “blindness” is not physical, but emotional or social.
Example Sentences:
- “She was as blind as a wallflower, sitting quietly in the corner, oblivious to the chaos around her.”
- “His awareness of the situation was as blind as a wallflower, not realizing the tension in the room.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As unaware as a sleeping cat 🐱
- As oblivious as a distant star 🌟
- As unnoticed as a shadow on the ground 🌒
10. As Blind as an Unread Book
Meaning: It conveys an inert, passive blindness, tied to ignored wisdom, unexplored ideas, or truths left undiscovered.
Origin: The simile “as blind as an unread book” comes from literary metaphor, where a book holds knowledge, stories, or truth, but remains useless and unseen until opened and read. Its potential is locked away in silence.
Example Sentences:
- “Her thoughts were as blind as an unread book, full of potential yet unexplored.”
- “The world outside was as blind as an unread book, waiting to be discovered.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As unopened as a letter 📜
- As untouched as a new canvas 🎨
- As unread as an old letter 📬
11. As Blind as a Stone
Meaning: It conveys absolute blindness—often used figuratively for emotional numbness, ignorance, or the inability to perceive truth or feeling.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a stone” comes from folk expressions and natural imagery, where a stone, being an inanimate object, is completely without vision or awareness. It emphasizes total lifelessness and insensibility.
Example Sentences:
- “He was as blind as a stone, not even noticing the flowers blooming around him.”
- “The world felt as blind as a stone to her, with everything fading into shadows.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As blind as a wall 🧱
- As sightless as a closed book 📚
- As blind as a closed door 🚪
12. As Blind as a Thick Fog
Meaning: A fog can obscure everything, just like blindness can obscure vision and understanding.
Example Sentences:
- “The future seemed as blind as a thick fog, uncertain and unclear.”
- “His thoughts were as blind as a thick fog, clouded with confusion.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As unclear as a clouded sky ☁️
- As hazy as a misty morning 🌫️
- As dim as a foggy horizon 🌁
Common Similes for Ignorance
These common similes for being blind use familiar imagery to describe a lack of knowledge, awareness, or understanding. Ideal for emphasizing confusion, cluelessness, or willful denial in everyday language
13. As Blind as a Sealed Jar
Meaning: A sealed jar is closed off from the world, just like someone who is blind or unaware of what’s around them.
Example Sentences:
- “Her mind was as blind as a sealed jar, unable to grasp the reality of the situation.”
- “The truth remained as blind as a sealed jar, hidden from his view.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As locked as a treasure chest 🔒
- As close as a secret vault 🏰
- As hidden as a buried key 🗝️
14. As Blind as a Painted Eye
Meaning: It conveys a lifeless, decorative blindness, often tied to appearances that deceive, superficial understanding, or emotional emptiness masked by beauty.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a painted eye” comes from artistic and poetic imagery, where an eye drawn or painted may look real but lacks vision, life, and awareness. It symbolizes the illusion of sight without perception.
Example Sentences:
- “His perception of the world was as blind as a painted eye, unable to see beyond his narrow view.”
- “The painted eye on the statue was as blind as the reality he refused to face.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As sightless as a false mirror 🪞
- As fake as a painted smile 😊
- As lifeless as a doll’s eye 🧸
15. As Blind as a Forgotten Song
Meaning: It conveys a gentle, haunting blindness linked to lost emotions, faded beauty, or the quiet erasure of what once touched the soul.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a forgotten song” comes from musical and emotional metaphor, where a once-loved melody fades from memory, becoming silent, invisible, and unreachable. Though it once stirred feelings, it now lingers in absence.
Example Sentences:
- “Her emotions were as blind as a forgotten song, buried deep within her heart.”
- “The truth was as blind as a forgotten song, lost in the past.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As lost as a forgotten melody 🎶
- As silent as an unheard tune 🎵
- As distant as a long-lost harmony 🎼
16. As Blind as a Moonless Ocean
Meaning: It conveys a deep, engulfing blindness, tied to emotional vastness, uncertainty, and the fear of navigating without guidance or light.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a moonless ocean” draws from nautical and poetic imagery, where the vast sea under a moonless sky becomes pitch-dark, disorienting, and unknowable. Sailors once feared such nights for their utter lack of direction.
Example Sentences:
- “The night seemed as blind as a moonless ocean, with nothing visible in the distance.”
- “His understanding was as blind as a moonless ocean, lost in the vastness of confusion.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As dark as an endless abyss 🌌
- As shadowy as a deep cave 🏞️
- As obscured as a hidden reef 🏝️
17. As Blind as a Stone in the River
Meaning: It conveys a quiet, enduring blindness, linked to emotional detachment, numbness, or being untouched by the world flowing around you.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a stone in the river” blends natural and symbolic imagery, where a submerged stone is sightless, unmoved, and unaware, despite being surrounded by motion and life. It endures the current without perception.
Example Sentences:
- “His emotions were as blind as a stone in the river, unaffected by the turmoil surrounding him.”
- “She was as blind as a stone in the river, ignoring the changes happening in her life.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As unmoved as a mountain 🏔️
- As unaware as a leaf in the wind 🍃
- As still as a rock in the sea 🌊
18. As Blind as a Curtain Drawn Tight
Meaning: It conveys a controlled, willful blindness—often tied to avoidance, secrecy, or the refusal to let truth or light enter.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a curtain drawn tight” comes from domestic and visual metaphor, where a tightly shut curtain blocks all light and vision, creating a space of deliberate darkness and isolation. It symbolizes intentional concealment.
Example Sentences:
- “His thoughts were as blind as a curtain drawn tight, shutting out everything but his fears.”
- “The future seemed as blind as a curtain drawn tight, with no way of knowing what was ahead.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As dark as a closed window 🪟
- As hidden as a drawn shade 🌒
- As closed as a locked door 🚪
Poetic Similes for Being Blind
These poetic similes for being blind capture emotional blindness—the inability to see truth, pain, or reality in relationships and decisions. Use them to convey denial, obsession, or love that clouds all judgment.
19. As Blind as an Untouched Painting
Meaning: An untouched painting can be full of potential but is never observed, much like someone who is blind or unaware of what’s happening around them.
Example Sentences:
- “His mind was as blind as an untouched painting, full of ideas but never realized.”
- “The opportunity was as blind as an untouched painting, waiting to be discovered.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As hidden as an unopened book 📖
- As unrealized as an unfinished sculpture 🗿
- As neglected as a forgotten masterpiece 🎨
20. As Blind as a Shadow in the Night
Meaning: A shadow is barely perceptible in the dark, just like someone who is blind or unaware of their surroundings.
Example Sentences:
- “Her fears were as blind as a shadow in the night, creeping silently without being seen.”
- “The truth was as blind as a shadow in the night, elusive and hard to grasp.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As hidden as a midnight whisper 🌙
- As unseen as a ghost in the dark 👻
- As faint as a distant star ✨:
21. As Blind as a Bat in Daylight
Meaning: It conveys a confused, disoriented blindness—often tied to being out of place, overwhelmed, or unable to function outside familiar conditions.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a bat in daylight” stems from myth and misconception, as bats were long believed to be blind during the day, though in reality, many have decent vision. The image persists due to their nocturnal nature.
Example Sentences:
- “He was as blind as a bat in daylight, missing the obvious signs all around him.”
- “Her judgment was as blind as a bat in daylight, failing to see the risks ahead.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As clueless as a deer in headlights 🦌
- As unaware as a sleeping owl 🦉
- As lost as a rabbit in the open 🐇
Symbolic Similes for Lack of Awareness
These simile phrases for blindness symbolically capture moments of ignorance, denial, or unconscious behavior. These comparisons add depth to characters who can’t—or won’t—see the truth around them.
23. As Blind as a Blank Page
Meaning: It conveys an empty, undefined blindness—tied to inaction, lost purpose, or the absence of insight or identity.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a blank page” comes from literary and creative symbolism, where a blank page holds no vision, no direction, and no meaning—yet. It waits, unseeing, for thought or expression to bring it to life.
Example Sentences:
- “His mind was as blind as a blank page, unable to process the information.”
- “The situation felt as blind as a blank page, with no direction or answers.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As empty as an unused canvas 🎨
- As silent as an untouched notebook 📚
- As clear as an untold story 📖
24. As Blind as a Locked Treasure Chest
Meaning: It conveys a sealed, silent blindness—linked to untapped potential, guarded truths, or wisdom kept out of reach.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a locked treasure chest” comes from storytelling and metaphor, where a treasure chest, though filled with value or secrets, remains unaware and hidden unless unlocked. It holds much, but perceives nothing.
Example Sentences:
- “Her heart was as blind as a locked treasure chest, closed off to the love around her.”
- “The solution was as blind as a locked treasure chest, waiting to be discovered.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As hidden as a secret vault 🏰
- As sealed as a buried chest 🗝️
- As untold as a forgotten secret 🕵️
Some “blind” similes don’t just suggest a lack of sight—they also hint at powerlessness or ineffectiveness. If you’re exploring that angle, check out our similes for useless.
25. As Blind as a Distant Star
Meaning: It conveys a lonely, unreachable blindness, tied to brilliance without awareness, distant beauty, or isolation despite being visible.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a distant star” draws from astronomical and poetic imagery, where a faraway star shines brightly yet cannot see, isolated in the vast darkness of space. Others see it, but see nothing in return.
Example Sentences:
- “The opportunity was as blind as a distant star, too far for him to grasp.”
- “Her hopes seemed as blind as a distant star, flickering but unreachable.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As unreachable as a far-off planet 🌍
- As hidden as a star behind clouds ☁️
- As far as a comet’s tail ☄️
26. As Blind as a Locked Door
Meaning: It conveys a firm, unyielding blindness—linked to emotional shut-off, barriers to understanding, or willful ignorance.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a locked door” comes from everyday symbolism, where a locked door blocks entry, view, and interaction, standing firm without perception or response. It separates spaces but remains unaware of what’s on either side.
Example Sentences:
- “His mind was as blind as a locked door, preventing him from seeing the solution.”
- “The opportunity was as blind as a locked door, waiting to be unlocked.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As shut as a closed window 🪟
- As secure as a fortress gate 🏰
- As hidden as a secret room 🏠
27. As Blind as an Unopened Flower
Meaning: It conveys a gentle, innocent blindness, tied to inexperience, hidden potential, or emotions not yet awakened.
Origin: The simile “as blind as an unopened flower” comes from natural and poetic imagery, where a bud, not yet bloomed, cannot see the world or be seen fully itself. It holds beauty and awareness still tucked inside.
Example Sentences:
- “Her feelings were as blind as an unopened flower, waiting to be expressed.”
- “The truth remained as blind as an unopened flower, hidden from view.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As closed as a bud in the winter 🌸
- As hidden as a flower under snow ❄️
- As concealed as a petal in the dark 🌺
Similes for Literal Blindness
These blind similes describe actual, physical blindness using vivid and familiar comparisons. Perfect for realistic descriptions in storytelling, poetry, or character imagery.
28. As Blind as a Forgotten Compass
Meaning: It conveys a lost, purposeless blindness—linked to abandoned guidance, missed direction, or drifting without inner clarity.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a forgotten compass” draws from navigational and metaphorical imagery, where a compass, once a tool for direction, becomes useless and unseeing when neglected or lost. Its guiding power fades in disuse.
Example Sentences:
- “His sense of direction was as blind as a forgotten compass, leading him astray.”
- “The path ahead was as blind as a forgotten compass, unclear and uncertain.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As lost as a broken map 🗺️
- As useless as a defunct GPS 📍
- As directionless as a wandering traveler 🧳
29. As Blind as Justice
Meaning: It conveys a noble, impartial blindness, tied to objectivity, moral neutrality, or decisions made without personal bias or prejudice.
Origin: The simile “as blind as justice” originates from classical and legal symbolism, especially the image of Lady Justice wearing a blindfold to represent impartiality and fairness, uninfluenced by wealth, status, or identity. Her blindness is intentional and principled.
Example Sentences:
- Her decision was as blind as justice—firm, neutral, and untouched by emotion.
- He claimed to be as blind as justice, but his bias showed in every word.
Other Ways to Say It:
- As balanced as a scale in the dark
- As neutral as marble eyes on a statue
- As cold as a courtroom verdict
30. As Blind as a Broken Clock
Meaning: It conveys a static, outdated blindness, tied to irrelevance, denial of progress, or being stuck in a moment long gone.
Origin: The simile “as blind as a broken clock” comes from mechanical and metaphorical language, where a clock that no longer ticks is unaware of time, change, or the world around it. It stands still while everything else moves on.
Example Sentences:
- “His perception of the situation was as blind as a broken clock, stuck in the past.”
- “The future seemed as blind as a broken clock, with no clear direction ahead.”
Other Ways to Say It:
- As stuck as a frozen moment 🕰️
- As irrelevant as an expired calendar 📅
- As halted as a stopped watch ⏱️
Fill in the Blanks: As Blind As…
Instructions: Complete these similes for the blind by filling in the missing comparison after “as blind as”.
- Without her contacts, she was as blind as __________.
- He trusted the scammer as blind as __________.
- Love made her as blind as __________.
- The mole was as blind as __________.
- The old sailor, without his glasses, was as blind as __________.
- In the darkness of the cave, I felt as blind as __________.
- As blind as __________, he kept denying the obvious facts.
- She walked into the wrong room as blind as __________.
- The child, unaware of the danger, was as blind as __________.
- The referee missed the foul, as blind as __________.
Answer Key: As Blind As…
- a bat
- a fool in love
- love
- a mole
- a bat
- a cave fish
- denial
- a goose in a fog
- a kitten
- a referee with closed eyes (or: as blind as justice)
Conclusion
Similes for blind offer a powerful way to describe both physical blindness and emotional unawareness through vivid comparisons. Whether you’re writing a poem, story, or casual expression, these similes make your language more relatable and emotionally rich.
A well-used simile of blind, like He was as blind as a fog-covered lighthouse keeper, paints a clear image of someone missing the obvious.
These similes for blind not only help readers understand the limits and challenges of a situation but also make your writing more impactful and visually engaging.
