black as coal

From Middle English blak as cole.

• Audio (General Australian):

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as black as coal (not comparable)

1. (simile) Completely black.

   Synonyms: pitch-black, black as tar

   • 1966, The Rolling Stones, “Paint It, Black”, in Aftermath:

     I wanna see it painted / painted black / black as night / black as coal

   • 1975, “Island Girl”, in Bernie Taupin (lyrics), Rock of the Westies, performed by Elton John:

     Well she's black as coal, but she burn like a fire,
     And she wrap herself around you like a well-worn tire.

• Thesaurus:black