The lights flickered like a dying star.

Meaning: This means the lights were going on and off, or dimming and brightening, in an unsteady way.

Choice of Words: Flickered means to shine unsteadily or waver. Dying means coming to an end or ceasing to exist. Star is a celestial body that emits light and heat. When you put them together, it's like saying the lights were shining unsteadily, like they were about to go out, just like a star that is dying.

Alternative Expressions

The lights blinked like a tired eye.

Meaning: This sentence is describing lights that are blinking, or turning on and off quickly, like a tired eye that is struggling to stay open. It's like saying, The lights were turning on and off quickly, like someone who is very sleepy and can't keep their eyes open.

Choice of Words: Blinked means to close and open one's eyes quickly, like when you're sleepy or surprised. Tired means feeling weary or lacking energy. Eye is the organ that allows us to see. When you put these words together, "The lights blinked like a tired eye" creates an image of lights that are turning on and off quickly, like a sleepy eye that is struggling to stay open.

The lights sputtered like a broken faucet.

Meaning: This sentence is describing lights that are sputtering, or flickering and turning on and off erratically, like a broken faucet that is leaking or not working properly. It's like saying, The lights were flickering and turning on and off in a strange and unpredictable way, like a faucet that is broken and not working properly.

Choice of Words: Sputtered means to make a series of short, irregular sounds or bursts, like a car engine that's having trouble starting. Broken means damaged or not working properly. Faucet is a device that controls the flow of water from a pipe. When you put these words together, "The lights sputtered like a broken faucet" describes lights that are flickering or turning on and off erratically, like a faucet that is leaking or not working properly.

Related Expressions