wet noodle

Cooked floppy strand

A wet noodle is a cooked pasta strand—limp, soft, and impossible to keep rigid.

The image extends to anything or anyone lacking firmness or force: a weak handshake, a feeble objection, an ineffectual person.

He hits like a wet noodle.

That argument is a wet noodle.

A wet noodle punishment is laughably mild.

weakness

limp

Lacking firmness or rigidity

floppyLacking rigidity, bending easily
spinelessLacking courage or resolve
ineffectualFailing to achieve purpose

pushover · doormat · wimp · milquetoast · jellyfish · passive · submissive · unassertive · meek · timid

texture

limp

Lacking firmness or rigidity

soggyThoroughly wet and soft
softYielding to touch
pliableCapable of bending easily

floppy · slippery · droopy · overcooked · mushy · flaccid · bendable · flexible · slick · wilted

comedy

slap

Open-handed blow

flailSwing limbs erratically
whipStrikes or aerates
fencingCombat with blunted blades

duel · punishment · prank · slapstick · gag · flogging · spanking · silly · absurd · limp

Categories

cowardicecoward, cowardly, craven, gutless, spineless
cowardscoward, chicken, wimp, milquetoast, poltroon
Fountain Pensfountain pen, nib, ink cartridge, converter, feed

Opposites

texture/firmness

wet noodleal dente

Tender but resistant

firm · crispy · crunchy · rigid · stiff

metaphorical strength/character

wet noodleiron will

Unwavering mental determination

tough cookie · go-getter · dynamo · firecracker · pillar of strength

PHYSICAL RIGIDITY (of objects)

wet noodlesteel rod

Cylindrical metal shaft

iron bar · ramrod · stiff as a board · taut · rigid

Family

wet, wetter, wettest, wetly, wetness, wets, wetted, wetting, noodle

Familiarity: Top 100,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G