poor as Job

English

Etymology

The Book of Job depicts the eponymous wealthy and pious landowner as losing all his possessions and becoming afflicted with various ailments and misfortunes, as a test of his faith by God.

Adjective

poor as Job (not comparable)

1. (simile) Extremely poor, destitute.
   • 1804, Maria Edgeworth, "The Will", Popular Tales, 1813, Paraclete Potter, page 101.

     Sir Plantagenet's son is as poor as Job; so she must have recourse to Marvel; and, if she gives him proper encouragement, he'll pay the money in a trice.

Synonyms

• poor as a church mouse
• poor as Job's turkey

Translations

Translations

• Dutch: zo arm als Job
• Finnish: köyhä kuin kirkonrotta (fi)
• French: pauvre comme Job (fr)
• Polish: biedny jak Hiob

See also

• Job's news