Request Phrase Synonyms and Antonyms

So, one of the things I hate in writing is over using phrases, words, clauses, etc. I always have a thesaurus handy when I write. However, maybe it's that my google fu is insufficient, as I'm having difficulty finding the synonyms of some phrases.

I'm thinking of this thread being a community effort to solve this problem. You post a phrase/clause and whether you want a synonym or antonym, and we'll reply to the best of our knowledge.

My first clause:

"like a puppet with its string cut."

[Synonym]

Meaning: Collapsing suddenly and lifelessly.

Paragraph where the phrase appears.

 

do you want a synonym or antonym? iloveyaoi

Like a soldier with no general or orders

Like a chess piece with both king and queen

 

Like all the life was snuffed out of him?

 

Syno: Like a rooster with its head off
Anto: Like a well-disciplined army

 

We should first agree on the meaning. For me, it means falling in a disarticulated way without the slightest bit of conscience remaining. Perfect KO.

 

Like Roronoa Zoro without a map

 

Like a kingdom with a dead ruler?

 

Actually..it is the same whether he has one or not~

 

Like a muppet with its thread cut

 

Like that sand guys minions without that sand guy in naruto who controled them

 

Like xianxia MCs without their gold finger.

 

One option is to not use a simile at all. some thing like
"He fell limply to the ground"

 

I wonder if someone can come up with an antonymn for this one:
mantis stalks the cicada unaware of the oriole behind

 

I've edited the OP to be more descriptive, and provide context for the use of the phrase.

 

A puppet with its string cut, is more evocative. It's more descriptive, and a hell lot better than: "He fell limply to the ground. "

I'll rather reuse the simile, than go without.

 

Like a marionette without it's strings.

 

like a pistol without the trigger iloveyaoi

 

Like a fujoshi/fudanshi transported to a world without males.

 

I think I'll go with this: "she collapsed on the bed; a marionette without its strings"?

What about "a marionette without its master"?

 

Like a yuri girl trapped in a soccer game iloveyaoi