When trust is broken, words often fall short—unless you’re using the right simile. Similes for untrustworthy help capture those subtle yet sharp feelings: the unreliability of someone who never shows up, the emptiness behind fake smiles, or the fleeting loyalty that disappears when it matters most. Whether it’s a friend who vanishes in hard times or a promise that collapses like a house of cards, similes offer vivid, memorable ways to express betrayal and doubt.
In this article, we’ll explore deeply expressive similes like as unreliable as a leaky faucet, as false as a counterfeit coin, and as shallow as a puddle. These comparisons bring emotional clarity to difficult moments—whether you’re writing, venting, or simply trying to describe someone who can’t be counted on.
From emotional instability to superficial charm, from hollow promises to false appearances, these similes will give you the perfect language to describe what it means to be untrustworthy, powerfully and creatively.
As Slippery As – Similes That Reveal Evasiveness and Untrustworthiness
As Slippery as an Eel
Meaning: This simile describes someone difficult to catch, pin down, or trust, often implying slyness, evasiveness, or dishonesty.
Origin: The simile “as slippery as an eel” comes from folk observations of eels, which are notoriously hard to catch due to their smooth, slimy bodies and quick movements in water. Eels have been used in proverbs and idioms for centuries across English and European cultures.
Example Sentences:
- “His promises were as slippery as an eel, always slipping away when I needed them most.”
- “She’s as slippery as an eel, dodging every question I ask her.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As elusive as smoke. 🌫️
- As deceitful as a shadow. 🌑
If you’re looking for similes that describe quick, slick movements (but not necessarily deceitful ones), check out our list of similes for agile.
As Slippery as Oil
Meaning: It describes someone or something evasive, untrustworthy, or deceitfully smooth in behavior or speech.
Origin: The simile “as slippery as oil” stems from oil’s natural slickness, making it difficult to hold, walk on, or clean — a fact known across ancient and modern cultures. In literature and speech, oil often symbolizes smoothness with hidden danger or evasion.
Example Sentences:
- “He’s as slippery as oil, always finding a way to wiggle out of responsibility.”
- “Her promises were as slippery as oil, impossible to hold onto.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As evasive as fog. 🌫️
- As elusive as a mirage. 🌅
As Shifty as a Shadow
Meaning: It describes someone who is evasive, suspicious, or constantly avoiding clarity—hard to catch or pin down
Origin: The simile “as shifty as a shadow” draws from folklore and Gothic literature, where shadows often represent uncertainty, hidden motives, or elusive figures. Shadows move silently, changing shape with the light, making them appear sneaky or untrustworthy.
Example Sentences:
- “He’s as shifty as a shadow, always slipping away when things get tough.”
- “Her intentions were as shifty as a shadow, never fully revealing themselves.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As elusive as quicksand. 🏖️
- As secretive as a locked door. 🚪
As Slippery as Ice
Meaning: It conveys the idea of something or someone being elusive, hard to trust, or likely to slip away or deceive without warning.
Origin: The simile “as slippery as ice” is rooted in direct physical experience, as ice has a naturally low friction surface, making it difficult to walk or hold onto safely. This comparison has been used in everyday language and literature to describe both literal and metaphorical slipperiness.
Example Sentences:
- “He’s as slippery as ice, always slipping away when I try to catch him in a lie.”
- “Her words are as slippery as ice, hard to trust and even harder to hold onto.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As elusive as smoke. 🌫️
- As slippery as oil. 🛢️
As Slippery as Quicksand
Meaning: It describes a person or situation that is deceptively unstable, hard to grasp, and likely to drag you deeper the more you struggle.
Origin: The simile “as slippery as quicksand” originates from the natural phenomenon of quicksand, a trap-like mixture of sand and water that looks solid but gives way and pulls down anything on it. Known for its treacherous surface, it has long symbolized danger masked by normalcy.
Example Sentences:
- “His excuses were as slippery as quicksand, pulling me deeper into his lies.”
- “Her promises were as slippery as quicksand, always shifting and impossible to hold onto.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As evasive as fog. 🌫️
- As deceptive as a mirage. 🌅
As Deceptive As – Similes That Expose Hidden Lies and False Appearances
As Deceptive as a Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
Meaning: This simile describes someone who appears kind or innocent but is secretly manipulative, dangerous, or deceitful.
Origin: The simile “as deceptive as a wolf in sheep’s clothing” originates from the Bible (Matthew 7:15), where false prophets are warned against for appearing harmless while hiding dangerous intentions. It paints a vivid image of a wolf disguised in a sheep’s wool, blending in to deceive and destroy.
Example Sentences:
- “He was as deceptive as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, pretending to be my friend while plotting against me.”
- “She’s as deceptive as a wolf in sheep’s clothing, hiding her true intentions behind a smile.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As fake as a mirage. 🌵
- As treacherous as a fox. 🦊
Such deceptive behavior is often described as diabolical — explore the slang meaning of diabolical and how it reflects extreme betrayal.
As Deceptive as a Chameleon
Meaning: It describes someone who constantly adapts their behavior or appearance to manipulate or conceal their true nature.
Origin: The simile “as deceptive as a chameleon” originates from the chameleon’s natural ability to change its skin color to blend into surroundings—a survival tactic seen as symbolic of camouflage and hidden intent. This behavior has long fascinated observers and appears in fables, folklore, and psychological metaphors.
Example Sentences:
- “He’s as deceptive as a chameleon, always adapting to whatever suits him best.”
- “Her intentions were as deceptive as a chameleon, hiding behind different faces.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As sneaky as a fox. 🦊
- As manipulative as a puppet master. 🎭
As Deceptive as a Magician’s Trick
Meaning: It describes something that is intentionally misleading, cleverly disguised, and crafted to hide the truth or distract from reality
Origin: The simile “as deceptive as a magician’s trick” originates from the world of illusion and stage magic, where performers use sleight of hand, misdirection, and showmanship to create convincing but false realities. These tricks are designed to fool the eye and mind, making the unreal appear real.
Example Sentences:
- “His actions were as deceptive as a magician’s trick, making me believe he was trustworthy.”
- “Her apologies were as deceptive as a magician’s trick, designed to distract me from the truth.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As misleading as a sleight of hand. ✋
- As illusionary as a vanishing act. 🎩
As Deceptive as a Mirage
Meaning: It refers to something that looks real or promising at first glance but proves illusory, misleading, or unattainable upon closer inspection.
Origin: The simile “as deceptive as a mirage” originates from natural optical illusions seen in deserts or hot roads, where heat bends light to create the false appearance of water or objects. These illusions have long symbolized false hope or unreachable desires in poetry and storytelling.
Example Sentences:
- “His promises were as deceptive as a mirage, disappearing as soon as I reached for them.”
- “Her intentions were as deceptive as a mirage, luring me in with false hope.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As misleading as a false map. 🗺️
- As illusory as a dream. 🌙
As False As – Similes That Reveal Fakeness, Imitation, and Betrayal
As False as a Counterfeit Coin
Meaning: It describes a person, statement, or appearance that is completely fake, deceptive, and lacking in true value or integrity.
Origin: The simile “as false as a counterfeit coin” comes from the long history of counterfeiting currency, where fake coins were made to deceive and defraud. In ancient and medieval economies, such coins symbolized dishonesty and betrayal of trust.
Example Sentences:
- “His sincerity was as false as a counterfeit coin, designed to deceive.”
- “Her kindness was as false as a counterfeit coin, hiding her true intentions.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As fake as a plastic flower. 🌸
- As dishonest as a forged signature. ✍️
As False as a Painted Smile
Meaning: It conveys a sense of emotional dishonesty, where someone pretends to be happy or kind while hiding sadness, deceit, or ill intent.
Origin: The simile “as false as a painted smile” has its roots in theatrical imagery and Victorian literature, where actors and societal norms often required people to mask true feelings with artificial expressions. A painted smile suggests a smile that’s not genuine but applied like makeup—fixed, fake, and unfeeling.
Example Sentences:
- “Her apology was as false as a painted smile, with no real remorse behind it.”
- “He’s as false as a painted smile, pretending to be happy while secretly plotting.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As insincere as a fake laugh. 😂
- As hollow as a mask. 🎭
As Fake as a Plastic Flower
Meaning: It describes something or someone that is visibly artificial, insincere, or lacking genuine emotion or value.
Origin: The simile “as fake as a plastic flower” originates from the widespread use of artificial flowers, which mimic beauty but lack scent, life, and natural texture. It became popular in modern speech as a way to criticize inauthentic appearances.
Example Sentences:
- “His kindness was as fake as a plastic flower, lacking any real emotion.”
- “Her apology was as fake as a plastic flower, meant only to cover up her mistakes.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As artificial as synthetic silk. 🧵
- As phony as a rubber mask. 🎭
As Fickle as the Wind
Meaning: It refers to a person or situation that is inconsistent, unreliable, or quick to change moods, loyalties, or opinions.
Origin: The simile “as fickle as the wind” traces back to ancient literature and poetry, where the wind often symbolizes changeability and unpredictability, from Shakespeare to classical Greek texts. The wind’s direction and strength can shift suddenly and without warning, making it an ideal metaphor.
Example Sentences:
- “His loyalty is as fickle as the wind, always shifting with the breeze.”
- “Her opinions are as fickle as the wind; they change with every passing day.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unstable as a kite in a storm. 🪁
- As changeable as the tides. 🌊
As Fickle as a Coin Toss
Meaning: It describes behavior, fate, or decisions that are unpredictable, inconsistent, and left entirely to chance.
Origin: The simile “as fickle as a coin toss” comes from the randomness of flipping a coin, a method historically used for making unbiased decisions based on chance. The outcome is purely luck-based, with no control or predictability involved.
Example Sentences:
- “Her mood is as fickle as a coin toss, changing without warning.”
- “He’s as fickle as a coin toss, never sticking to one decision for long.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unpredictable as a dice roll. 🎲
- As inconsistent as a roulette wheel. 🎰
Similes for Untrustworthy Behavior – Unsteady, Insincere, and Fleeting Traits
As Unsteady as a Tightrope Walker
Meaning: It refers to a person or situation that is precarious, constantly at risk of failure, or struggling to maintain control.
Origin: The simile “as unsteady as a tightrope walker” originates from the circus and performance arts, where tightrope walking requires extreme balance and focus, and even a slight wobble can lead to a fall. The image has long been used in literature and film to symbolize risk and instability.
Example Sentences:
- “His loyalty is as unsteady as a tightrope walker, always wavering under pressure.”
- “She’s as unsteady as a tightrope walker, one wrong move and everything falls apart.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As shaky as a leaf in the wind. 🍃
- As unpredictable as a storm at sea. 🌊
As Unstable as a House of Cards
Meaning: It conveys something that looks solid but is highly fragile, insecure, or likely to fail under pressure.
Origin: The simile “as unstable as a house of cards” stems from the literal fragility of a structure built by stacking playing cards, which collapses with the slightest disturbance. It became popular in the 19th century as a metaphor in literature and politics to describe precarious systems.
Example Sentences:
- “His promises are as unstable as a house of cards, ready to fall apart at any moment.”
- “She’s as unstable as a house of cards; one wrong move and everything crumbles.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As fragile as glass. 🧋
- As weak as a paper bridge. 🧻
As Fleeting as a Shooting Star
Meaning: It refers to something beautiful but short-lived, passing quickly and leaving only a memory behind.
Origin: The simile “as fleeting as a shooting star” draws from the brief, dazzling appearance of meteors streaking across the night sky, visible for only a few seconds before vanishing. This celestial phenomenon has long symbolized ephemeral beauty and transience in poetry and myth.
Example Sentences:
- “His loyalty was as fleeting as a shooting star, bright for a moment but gone in an instant.”
- “Her promises were as fleeting as a shooting star, disappearing before I could hold onto them.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As short-lived as a summer breeze. 🌬️
- As transient as a passing cloud. ☁️
As Hollow as a Drum
Meaning: It signifies something that lacks substance, depth, or sincerity, even if it appears bold or loud on the outside.
Origin: The simile “as hollow as a drum” comes from the literal construction of traditional drums, which are made with empty, resonant bodies to amplify sound when struck. Its use in English dates back to at least the 18th century, often describing things that are physically or emotionally empty.
Example Sentences:
- “His words were as hollow as a drum, lacking any real substance.”
- “Her apology sounded as hollow as a drum, echoing with emptiness.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As empty as a vacuum. 🌀
As Unpredictable as a Tornado
Meaning: It refers to someone or something that is wildly unstable, difficult to anticipate, and capable of sudden, intense disruption.
Origin: The simile “as unpredictable as a tornado” stems from the chaotic and erratic nature of tornadoes, which can change direction, speed, and intensity with little warning. Meteorologists often struggle to predict their exact path, reinforcing their reputation for sudden destruction.
Example Sentences:
- “Her emotions are as unpredictable as a tornado, one minute calm and the next a whirlwind.”
- “His actions are as unpredictable as a tornado, leaving destruction in their wake.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As erratic as a lightning strike. ⚡
- As volatile as a volcano. 🌋
As Empty as a Broken Promise
Meaning: It conveys a sense of betrayal, emotional hollowness, or disillusionment, emphasizing that what was offered had no true value.
Origin: The simile “as empty as a broken promise” is rooted in moral and emotional language, where a promise represents trust, and breaking it leaves behind disappointment and absence of meaning. It likely evolved from literary and rhetorical traditions that equate broken words with emotional voids.
Example Sentences:
- “His words were as empty as a broken promise, offering nothing but disappointment.”
- “Her actions were as empty as a broken promise, leaving me feeling betrayed.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As hollow as an unfulfilled wish. 🌠
- As void as an abandoned house. 🏚️
As Unreliable As – Similes That Show Inconsistency, Instability, and Broken Trust
As Unreliable as a Weather Forecast
Meaning: It refers to someone or something that is constantly changing, inconsistent, or frequently wrong despite appearing scientific or authoritative.
Origin: The simile “as unreliable as a weather forecast” stems from the early days of meteorology, when forecasts were often inaccurate due to limited technology and inconsistent data. Though modern forecasting has improved, the phrase persists in everyday language due to frequent public skepticism about its precision.
Example Sentences:
- “You’re as unreliable as a weather forecast, changing your mind every time I ask.”
- “His plans are as unreliable as a weather forecast—one minute sunny, the next minute stormy.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unpredictable as lightning. ⚡
- As inconsistent as a tide. 🌊
As Unreliable as a Broken Clock
Meaning: The simile emphasizes complete untrustworthiness or inconsistency, especially in someone or something that may seem accurate but consistently fails.
Origin: The simile “as unreliable as a broken clock” comes from a twist on the old proverb, “Even a broken clock is right twice a day,” which highlights limited usefulness despite failure. It references an analog clock stuck at one time, which may appear correct briefly but is fundamentally nonfunctional.
Example Sentences:
- “You’re as unreliable as a broken clock, always showing up late or not at all.”
- “His words are as unreliable as a broken clock; they never match the truth.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As inconsistent as a faulty compass. 🧭
- As erratic as a malfunctioning car. 🚗
As Crooked as a Politician
Meaning: It implies that someone is deceptive, morally compromised, or habitually dishonest—especially when pretending to serve others..
Origin: The simile “as crooked as a politician” stems from public cynicism and historical corruption scandals, where politicians have often been accused of dishonesty, bribery, and manipulation. The term “crooked” has long been slang for morally bent or corrupt, reinforced by political satire and media.
Example Sentences:
- “His intentions were as crooked as a politician’s, always looking for a way to manipulate the situation.”
- “Her promises were as crooked as a politician’s, full of empty words and no action.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As corrupt as a corrupt official. 🏛️
- As dishonest as a con artist. 🎩
Many untrustworthy traits overlap with general bad behavior. If you’re looking for broader comparisons, explore our full list of vivid similes for bad to deepen your descriptions.
As Unreliable as a Leaky Faucet
Meaning: It describes someone or something inconsistent, undependable, and persistently problematic in small but frustrating ways.
Origin: The simile “as unreliable as a leaky faucet” stems from the common household problem of faucets that drip inconsistently—sometimes flowing, sometimes stopping—despite being designed for control. It reflects both mechanical failure and annoying unpredictability.
Example Sentences:
- “Her promises were as unreliable as a leaky faucet, dripping away with no real commitment.”
- “He’s as unreliable as a leaky faucet, always letting you down when you need him.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As inconsistent as a broken record. 🎶
- As unpredictable as a leaking pipe. 🚰
As Changeable as the Weather
Meaning: It refers to someone or something inconsistent, unpredictable, or quick to change moods, attitudes, or conditions.
Origin: The simile “as changeable as the weather” originates from daily human observation, where weather conditions often shift suddenly and unpredictably, especially in temperate regions. Its usage dates back centuries in literature and speech to describe emotional or situational instability.
Example Sentences:
- “Her feelings were as changeable as the weather, never staying the same for long.”
- “His promises were as changeable as the weather, always shifting with the seasons.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As unpredictable as a storm. ⛈️
- As volatile as a windstorm. 🌪️
As Shallow As – Similes That Describe Superficial People, Feelings, and Ideas
As Shallow as a Puddle
Meaning: It describes a person, idea, or feeling that is superficial, lacking insight, depth, or emotional complexity.
Origin: The simile “as shallow as a puddle” comes from the literal thinness of rain puddles, which often cover ground without depth, drying quickly after formation. Common in conversational language, it contrasts surface appearance with actual substance.
Example Sentences:
- “Her explanations were as shallow as a puddle, offering no real insight.”
- “His loyalty was as shallow as a puddle, offering no support when needed.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As superficial as a reflection. 🪞
- As empty as a hollow tree. 🌳
As Shallow as a Glass of Water
Meaning: It describes something or someone superficial, lacking depth, substance, or meaningful complexity.
Origin: The simile “as shallow as a glass of water” is a modern, literal comparison based on the limited depth of water in a small glass, which is clear, visible, and easily measured.
Example Sentences:
- “Her apology was as shallow as a glass of water, offering no real emotion or understanding.”
- “His explanations were as shallow as a glass of water, barely skimming the surface.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As superficial as a movie script. 🎬
- As thin as a paper-thin lie. 📜
As Fragile as Glass
Meaning: It signifies something or someone that is easily broken, emotionally sensitive, or structurally weak, both physically and metaphorically.
Origin: The simile “as fragile as glass” comes from the literal brittleness of glass, which can shatter with minimal impact despite its clear, smooth appearance. Used since antiquity, it became a common metaphor in poetry and speech to describe delicacy and vulnerability.
Example Sentences:
- “His integrity is as fragile as glass, ready to break at the slightest pressure.”
- “Her trustworthiness is as fragile as glass, easily shattered by a single lie.”
Other Ways to Say:
- As brittle as porcelain. 🍶
- As delicate as a butterfly wing. 🦋
Similes for Untrustworthy – Practical Exercise
Part 1: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct simile for “untrustworthy.”
- He’s as ______________ as a fox in a henhouse.
- Don’t believe a word she says—she’s as ______________ as shifting sand.
- That politician is as ______________ as a snake in the grass.
- His promises are as ______________ as a cloud in the wind.
- Be careful with him; he’s as ______________ as a broken bridge.
Part 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct simile to complete each sentence.
- She changes her mind so often; she’s as ______________.
a) Steady as a rock
b) Slippery as an eel
c) Clear as crystal - Don’t trust his words; they’re as ______________.
a) Solid as a mountain
b) Empty as a hollow log
c) Firm as a handshake - He’s known to backstab his friends, just like ______________.
a) A wolf in sheep’s clothing
b) A knight in shining armor
c) A bird in the sky - That deal sounded too good to be true; it was as ______________.
a) Honest as the day is long
b) Shaky as a house of cards
c) Straight as an arrow - Be careful around her—she’s as ______________ as a double-edged sword.
a) Safe
b) Trustworthy
c) Deceptive
Answers
- sneaky
- unreliable
- deceitful
- unpredictable
- dangerous
- b) Slippery as an eel
- b) Empty as a hollow log
- a) A wolf in sheep’s clothing
- b) Shaky as a house of cards
- c) Deceptive
Conclusion
Similes are a powerful tool in writing, offering a creative way to express complex emotions and behaviors.
By incorporating these similes for untrustworthy individuals, you can make your writing more vivid, relatable, and impactful.
If you’re writing fiction, poetry, or simply expressing your thoughts in conversation, these similes will enrich your language and help you communicate more effectively.
