English

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Etymology

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Generalization of previous similes, e.g. evil as sin, common as sin, imputable as sin.

Adverb

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as sin

  1. (postpositive) To a great extent or degree; very.
    There is no way you'll lift it yourself, it's heavy as sin.
    • 1864, O. E. [Oliver Everett] Durivage, The Stage-Struck Yankee:
      CAPTAIN: I understand, and I'll patronize you. I'll take every ticket, and pay you cash, and Jedidah shall come and see the beautiful rival. / JEDIDAH: Beautiful! She's as homely as sin.
    • 1945, Taylor Caldwell, Wide House:
      As for Janie, she stood there, petrified, and now her face had become as ugly as sin, and as vicious, and as malevolent.
    • 2015, John C. Wright, The Architect of Aeons, 1st edition, New York:
      The clouds covered a liquid surface black as sin.

Anagrams

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