English

Phrase

as the day is long

1. (idiomatic, intensifier) Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.
   • c. 1598, William Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing, act 2, sc. 1:

     He shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.

   • 1851, Nathaniel Hawthorne, The House of Seven Gables, ch. 21:

     And you shall do nothing but what you choose, and shall be as happy as the day is long.

   • 1872, Mark Twain, Roughing It, ch. 54:

     They are quiet, peaceable, tractable, free from drunkenness, and they are as industrious as the day is long.

   • 1906, Horatio Alger, Joe The Hotel Boy, ch. 4:

     "Oh, I don't think they would steal the box. Bart Andrews and Jack Thompson are as honest as the day is long."

   • 2003, Brian Buckner and Sebastian Jones, Friends, season 9, ep. 17 The One with the Memorial Service:

     Monica: Alright, wait a second! Why would Ross tell everyone in your class that you are "as gay as the day is long"?

   • 2004, G. Caulkin and B. Glanville, "Souness eyes move to take Duff back on board," Times Online (UK), 16 Oct. (retrieved 6 Sept. 2009):

     "He is direct, honest as the day is long, hard-working and a good lad to have around."

Usage notes

• Often, but not exclusively, used with the adjectives honest or happy or with synonyms for honest or happy.
• Usually used in a construction having this form: (as) [adjective] as the day is long.