Also,
so . . . as. Used with an adjective or adverb to show similarity or equality of one thing with another. The
as . . . as construction appears in numerous similes, including the idioms
as rich as Croesus, as big as life, as good as done. (In this book, when such idioms occur without the first
as, they can be found under the adjective or adverb,
rich as . . .;
big as . . .;
good as . . .; etc.; those that do not, like
as far as, as long as, as well as, are found at as below.) The construction
so . . . as is often preferred in negative statements like
I couldn't sleep, not so much as a wink, a usage dating from the 1200s. Also see
as far as.