Idioms About FAMILY
Family is an essential part of our lives, and we often use idioms to describe our relationships and experiences with them. These expressions capture the unique dynamics, emotions, and quirks that come with being a part of a family. From the love and loyalty to the occasional squabbles, there’s no shortage of colorful phrases that describe the complexities of family life.
- Blood is thicker than water – Family relationships are more important than friendships.
Example: Despite our differences, we have to stand by each other because blood is thicker than water. - The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – Children often share characteristics or behaviors with their parents.
Example: James has the same sense of humor as his father. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. - Like father, like son – Sons tend to resemble their fathers in many ways.
Example: John is a great athlete, just like his father. Like father, like son. - The black sheep of the family – A person who is considered the odd one out in their family.
Example: Jane is the black sheep of her family because she’s the only one who doesn’t have a college degree. - A chip off the old block – A child who closely resembles a parent in appearance or behavior.
Example: Jack is a chip off the old block. He’s just as stubborn as his father. - All in the same boat – In the same difficult situation.
Example: We’re all in the same boat now that our parents have passed away. - Flesh and blood – A relative or family member.
Example: I can’t believe he would do that to his own flesh and blood. - Home is where the heart is – Home is wherever you feel happiest and most comfortable.
Example: I may be far away, but home is where the heart is, and my heart is always with my family. - In the same family way – In a similar manner or style.
Example: Sarah and her sister both have the same family way of speaking. - Keep it in the family – Keep something within the family, rather than telling others outside the family.
Example: We should keep this matter within the family and not involve outsiders. - Let the family jewels be – Keep private family matters a secret.
Example: It’s best to let the family jewels be and not discuss our personal matters with others. - Like mother, like daughter – Daughters often resemble their mothers in many ways.
Example: Rachel inherited her mother’s artistic talent. Like mother, like daughter. - Mama’s boy – A son who is overly attached to his mother.
Example: Jack is such a mama’s boy. He can’t make a decision without consulting his mother first. - My flesh and blood – A close relative.
Example: I would do anything for my flesh and blood. - Out of the frying pan and into the fire – Going from a bad situation to a worse one.
Example: After the death of his father, Tom moved in with his alcoholic uncle. It was like going out of the frying pan and into the fire. - Parental guidance – Advice or guidance given by parents to their children.
Example: Parents should provide their children with parental guidance on important matters. - Sibling rivalry – Competition or animosity between siblings.
Example: There’s always been sibling rivalry between my two sons. - Spitting image – A person who looks exactly like another person.
Example: Mary is the spitting image of her mother when she was her age. - Stick together like glue – Remain close and loyal to one another.
Example: No matter what happens, our family will stick together like glue. - The apple of someone’s eye – Someone who is greatly loved and cherished.
Example: My granddaughter is the apple of my eye. - The family that prays together stays together – Families who share religious beliefs and practice together are more likely to stay close.
Example: My family goes to church together every Sunday. The family that prays together stays together. - The prodigal son – A person who returns home after a long period of absence, often after making mistakes or bad decisions.
Example: After years of living a reckless life, the prodigal son returned home to his family seeking forgiveness.
- There’s no place like home – Home is where one feels most comfortable and at ease.
Example: After a long day at work, there’s no place like home to relax and unwind. - A house divided against itself cannot stand – A family or group that is divided and at odds with each other is weaker and more vulnerable.
Example: If we keep fighting amongst ourselves, our family will crumble. A house divided against itself cannot stand. - Blood will out – A person’s inherent qualities or character will eventually become evident.
Example: Despite his best efforts to hide it, the fact that he’s a kind and generous person eventually became clear. Blood will out. - Come from good stock – To come from a family with a good reputation or lineage.
Example: Sarah comes from good stock. Her family has been successful and respected in their community for generations. - Don’t wash your dirty laundry in public – Keep family problems or conflicts private, rather than airing them publicly.
Example: Let’s not argue about this in front of everyone. We shouldn’t wash our dirty laundry in public. - Family ties – Strong emotional connections between family members.
Example: Even though they live on opposite sides of the country, their family ties remain strong. - Like two peas in a pod – Two people who are very similar in appearance or behavior.
Example: Emily and her sister are like two peas in a pod. They even finish each other’s sentences. - Mother hen – A person who fusses over and takes care of others, like a mother hen takes care of her chicks.
Example: My grandmother is a real mother hen. She always makes sure everyone is well-fed and taken care of. - The family name – The reputation or image of a family, often based on their actions or accomplishments.
Example: The Smith family name is well-respected in the business community. - The family tree – A chart or diagram showing the relationships between family members across generations.
Example: I traced my family tree back five generations. - A family affair – An event or situation involving multiple family members.
Example: The wedding was a real family affair, with cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents all in attendance. - A family man – A man who prioritizes his family and spends a lot of time with them.
Example: Jack is a true family man. He always puts his wife and kids first. - A family reunion – A gathering of family members who haven’t seen each other in a long time.
Example: We’re having a family reunion next month. It will be great to catch up with everyone. - Blood money – Money obtained through immoral or illegal means.
Example: I don’t want anything to do with that inheritance. It’s blood money. - By the skin of your teeth – To barely escape or succeed in a difficult situation.
Example: We made it to the airport by the skin of our teeth, just in time for our flight. - Carry on the family tradition – To continue a tradition or way of life that has been passed down through generations of a family.
Example: It’s important for us to carry on the family tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving together every year. - Close-knit family – A family that is tightly bonded and supportive of each other.
Example: Our family is very close-knit. We always have each other’s backs. - Cut from the same cloth – People who share similar qualities or characteristics.
Example: My siblings and I are all cut from the same cloth. We’re all outgoing and love to have fun.
- Double-edged sword – Something that has both positive and negative consequences or aspects.
Example: Having a big family can be a double-edged sword. It’s great to have lots of support, but it can also be overwhelming at times. - Family values – The moral and ethical principles that guide a family’s behavior.
Example: Our family values honesty, hard work, and compassion. - Follow in someone’s footsteps – To pursue a similar career or lifestyle as someone who came before you.
Example: My father was a doctor, and I hope to follow in his footsteps and become a doctor as well. - Home away from home – A place where one feels comfortable and at ease, like a second home.
Example: My grandmother’s house is my home away from home. I always feel so relaxed and welcomed there. - Like father, like son – A son who shares similar qualities or characteristics as his father.
Example: John is just like his father. They have the same sense of humor and love for music. - Out of the blue – Something unexpected or surprising.
Example: My sister’s visit to our family reunion was out of the blue. We had no idea she was coming. - Put down roots – To establish a permanent residence or connection to a place.
Example: After years of moving around, my family finally decided to put down roots in a small town in the countryside. - The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree – A child who shares similar qualities or characteristics as their parents.
Example: Lisa is just like her mother. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. - The black sheep of the family – A family member who is considered an outcast or a disappointment.
Example: My cousin has always been the black sheep of the family. He never finished school and has had trouble holding down a job. - The ties that bind – The strong emotional connections between family members.
Example: Even though we don’t see each other often, the ties that bind our family together remain strong.
Idioms about family help us express the depth and breadth of our experiences with our loved ones. Whether we’re describing our parents, siblings, or extended family, these expressions capture the nuances of our relationships with them. So the next time you’re spending time with your family, pay attention to the idioms you use – they may reveal more about your relationships than you realize.
