poor as Job

English

Etymology

The Book of Job depicts the eponymous wealthy and pious landowner as losing all his possessions and becoming afflicted with various ailments and misfortunes, as a test of his faith by God.

Adjective

poor as Job (not comparable)

(simile) Extremely poor, destitute.
- 1804, Maria Edgeworth, "The Will", Popular Tales, 1813, Paraclete Potter, page 101.
  Sir Plantagenet's son is as poor as Job; so she must have recourse to Marvel; and, if she gives him proper encouragement, he'll pay the money in a trice.

Synonyms

poor as a church mouse
poor as Job's turkey

Translations

Dutch: zo arm als Job
French: pauvre comme Job (fr)