LIKE (or AS) ANYTHING, adv. phr. (colloquial).—An indefinite but comprehensive standard of measurement or value; LIKE ONE O’CLOCK (OLD BOOTS, WINKING, HELL, etc.).

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  1542.  UDALL, The Apophthegmes of Erasmus, 32. And thesame maiden … daunced without any feare at all emong sweardes and kniues, beyng as sharpe AS ANY THYNG.

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  1740.  RICHARDSON, Pamela, II. 57. I fear your girl will grow as proud AS ANYTHING.

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  1837.  R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (Misadventures at Margate), II. 135. His bosom throbb’d with agony,—he cried LIKE ANYTHING!

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  1873.  LEWIS CARROLL, Through the Looking-Glass, iv. 73.

        They wept LIKE ANYTHING to see
  Such quantities of sand.

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