From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
as the day is long
- (idiomatic, intensifier, simile) Unceasingly; very; thoroughly; to a very high degree.
1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “Much Adoe about Nothing”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene i]:He shows me where the bachelors sit, and there live we as merry as the day is long.
1872, Mark Twain, chapter 54, in Roughing It:They are quiet, peaceable, tractable, free from drunkenness, and they are as industrious as the day is long.
1906, Horatio Alger, chapter 4, in Joe The Hotel Boy:"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 October 16, G. Caulkin, B. Glanville, “Souness eyes move to take Duff back on board”, in Times Online, UK, retrieved 6 Sept. 2009:"He is direct, honest as the day is long, hard-working and a good lad to have around."
- 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.
