float like a butterfly
Move with grace
Float like a butterfly is half of boxer Muhammad Ali's famous self-description: "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee." To float like a butterfly is to move with effortless grace and agility, especially while evading an opponent: She floated like a butterfly around the dance floor.
The phrase evokes lightness and unpredictability.
Comparison via "as"
- metaphorImplied identity comparison
- vividIntensely clear and bright
- lyricalMusically expressive
- quotableWorth citing verbatim
iconic phrase · sting like a bee · contrast · duality · nature imagery · insect · wings · flutter
Highest combat weight class
- Olympic championWinner at international athletics
- George ForemanHeavyweight grill entrepreneur
- Thrilla in ManilaFamous 1975 heavyweight championship fight
- rope-a-dopePassive defense until exhaustion
Sonny Liston · Joe Frazier · trash talk · activist · charismatic · eloquent · iconic · sting like a bee
Having no heft
- airyLight and well-ventilated
- buoyantAble to float
- etherealDelicate beyond earthly measure
- featherweightBoxing class under 126
gossamer · hover · drift · glide · waft · wispy · delicate · suspended
Refined, graceful quality
- poiseGraceful, unshakable calm
- fluidityState of flowing freely
- nimbleQuick and light-moving
- litheSupple and graceful
supple · effortless · finesse · ballet · gazelle · swan · sylphlike · willowy
Skilled lower-limb movement
- jabQuick, straight blow
- ringClosed curve shape
- glovesHand coverings with fingers
- sparringPractice combat training
evasion · defense · bob and weave · feint · dancing · lateral movement · elusive · untouchable
simile
Comparison via "as"
quotable · iconic phrase · sting like a bee · contrast · duality · nature imagery · insect · wings · flutter · memorable
heavyweight
Highest combat weight class
- Olympic championWinner at international athletics
- George ForemanHeavyweight grill entrepreneur
- Thrilla in ManilaFamous 1975 heavyweight championship fight
Sonny Liston · Joe Frazier · rope-a-dope · trash talk · activist · charismatic · eloquent · iconic · sting like a bee · showmanship
weightless
Having no heft
featherweight · gossamer · hover · drift · glide · waft · wispy · delicate · suspended · airborne
elegance
Refined, graceful quality
lithe · supple · effortless · finesse · ballet · gazelle · swan · sylphlike · willowy · delicate
footwork
Skilled lower-limb movement
sparring · evasion · defense · bob and weave · feint · dancing · lateral movement · elusive · untouchable · counterpunch
- Muhammad Alirope-a-dope, sting like a bee, heavyweight title, Joe Frazier, George Foreman
- Sports Sayingsno pain no gain, practice makes perfect, leave it all on the field, go for gold, never give up
float like a butterflylumber
Sawn wood for building
stomp · trudge · heavy-footed · flat-footed · clunk
float like a butterflyslug it out
Engage in prolonged combat
brawl · toe-to-toe · stand your ground · take it on the chin · plant one's feet
float, floated, floating, floats, floater, floaters, flotation, butterfly, butterflies