In English, we compare actions using words like "like" or "as" ("he sped like an arrow"). Russian can express this beautifully and concisely by simply putting the noun into the bare Instrumental case—using no prepositions at all.
The Metaphorical Instrumental
To create these vivid comparisons, known as the Instrumental of Comparison (Творительный сравнения), apply the standard Instrumental endings to the noun you are comparing the subject to: -ом / -ем for masculine and neuter nouns, and -ой / -ей for feminine nouns.
| He rushed like an arrow through the crowd to save his friend. | Он мчался стрелой сквозь толпу, чтобы спасти друга. |
| The car was rushing, and the snow spun like a whirlwind. | Машина мчалась, а снег крутился вихрем. |
Animal Instincts
This grammar shines in dramatic storytelling, especially when characters are overcome by emotion and act like wild animals. Just put the animal into the Instrumental case directly after an intense verb.
| The fierce warrior rushed like a tiger at the enemy. | Свирепый воин бросался тигром на врага. |
| Out of pain he was ready to howl like a wolf and roar like a bear. | От боли он был готов выть волком и реветь медведем. |
Forces of Nature
You can use this structure with almost any noun to paint a vivid picture. Some combinations are classic Russian idioms, such as dropping "like a stone" (камнем), standing "like a rock" (скалой), or looking at someone "like an eagle" (орлом).
| Out of fear people rushed to run, fell like a stone, and screamed. | От страха люди бросались бежать, падали камнем и кричали. |
| An hour before the battle he not only stood like a rock, but also looked like an eagle. | За час до битвы он не только стоял скалой, но и смотрел орлом. |
