English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.
Learning to use common idioms and expressions
will make your English sound more native,
so it's a good idea to master some of these
expressions.
Below are 22 common English expressions
about family.
Good luck and good studying.
(Own) flesh and blood
Someone’s (own) flesh and blood is that person’s close relative.
“How could you steal from us? You’re our own flesh and blood.”
“I would never cut my son out of my will for any reason. He’s my flesh and blood.” one’s (own) flesh and blood is that person’s close relative.
“How could you steal from us? You’re our own flesh and blood.”
“I would never cut my son out of my will for any reason. He’s my flesh and blood.”
To rule the roost
The person who rules the roost is the person who is in charge.
“When we were kids, my oldest sister ruled the roost. She made all the decisions and always told us what to do.”
“When my mom was growing up, she says my Aunt Stacey ruled the roost.”
Spitting image
If someone is a spitting image of another family member, it means that those two people look almost identical.”
“Kate’s the spitting image of her mother. They both have blue eyes and dimples.”
“My son is a spitting image of my husband.”
Family man
A family man is a man who is devoted to his wife and children and enjoys spending time with them.
“Carl never goes out with his coworkers after work. He’s a true family man, and always rushes home to be with his wife and kids.”
“I won’t spend my bonus on myself. I’m a family man, so I’ll probably use the money to buy something my wife and kids want.”
To wear the pants
The person who wears the pants in a family is the person who holds the authority.
“My mother definitely wears the pants in the family. My dad only thinks he does.”
“My mother was very young when I was born, so it was my grandmother who wore the pants in my house.”
To take after someone
To take after someone means to be very similar to an older family member.
“I take after my father. We’re both architects, and we both love soccer.”
“We’re all glad that Mark took after his mother instead of his father. His father was a thief, but his mother was a saint.”
In one’s blood
If something is in one’s blood, it means that it is a fundamental part of who that person is and something that is ingrained in that person’s family.
“Law is in my blood. I’m a lawyer, and so is my father, my grandfather, and two of my aunts.”
“Music is in my blood. Almost everyone in my family can sing, compose, or play an instrument.”
Breadwinner
The breadwinner of a family is the person who financially provides for the family.
“I didn’t see my father as much as I saw my mother. He was the breadwinner of the family and worked long hours.”
“Most families don’t have just one breadwinner. Both parents often work and provide financially for their children.”
To have a falling out
To have a falling out with someone means to have a disagreement which ruins a relationship with that person.
“Margaret and her sister had a falling out a few years back. They hardly even speak to each other now.”
“There were some disagreements about my mom’s inheritance, and two of my brothers had a falling out over it.”
The apple of one’s eye
Someone’s favorite or most cherished person is the apple of their eye. We often use this idiom to talk about a parent and their child.
“Our grandson is the apple of our eye. We absolutely adore him.”
“Sadly, Ramona doesn’t remember her father because he died when she was two. She knows that she was the apple of his eye, though.”
Black sheep
The black sheep of a family is someone who brings shame to their family by being different or doing something wrong.
“Marvin is the black sheep of the family. He’s been in college for seven years and still hasn’t graduated.”
“Kurt is the black sheep of the family. His parents wanted him to become a lawyer like his sister, but he decided to pursue a music career instead.”
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree means that a child usually has similar qualities to their parents.
“John ended up in prison just like his father. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
“It’s not unusual that you have the same interests as your mother. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”
Blood is thicker than water
Blood is thicker than water means that relationships with family members are stronger and more important than relationships with people outside of the family.
“Of course, Karen is going to side with her sister in this argument. Blood is thicker than water.”
“My brother and best friend are getting married on the same day. I’m going to go to my brother’s wedding, of course. Blood is thicker than water.”
Born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth
If someone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, it means that they were born into a wealthy and privileged family.
“I wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I had to work two jobs to put myself through college.”
“Most presidential candidates were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Rarely do they come from middle-class families.”
(Just) one big happy family
If a group of people is (just) one big happy family, it means that a group of people (often a family) get along and work well together. We sometimes use this idiom sarcastically.
“To outsiders, they seemed like one big happy family, but they often fought behind closed doors.”
“Our firm has been successful because of our close-knit relationship. We’re one big happy family.”
Bad blood
Bad blood means that there is anger or hate between people due to something that happened in the past.
“There’s bad blood between Carlos and Alex, so let’s not invite them both to dinner.”
“Are you sure you want to invite all of your cousins to your party? Isn’t there bad blood between the two of them?”
“Bad Blood” is also a popular song by Taylor Swift that you may have heard.
Get along with (or get on with)
If two people get along with (or get on with) each other, it means that they like each other and have a friendly relationship. (Get along with is American English, and get on with is British English.)
“I feel fortunate that I get along with my family so well.”
“If you have a large family, there will likely be some people who don’t get along with each other.”
Pride and joy
Someone’s pride and joy is someone who makes that person extremely proud and happy. We can also use this idiom to talk about a thing (a hobby, possession, etc.) that makes someone proud and happy.
“Mike retired early to spend time with his kids. They’re his pride and joy.”
“Melanie’s garden is her pride and joy. Nothing makes her happier than spending her weekends making it look beautiful.”
To run in the family
If something runs in the family, it means that many members of the family have that quality, skill, interest, problem, disease, etc.
“Heart disease runs in my family. I try to have a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise.”
“Talk to your doctor about any illnesses that run in your family.”
Like father, like son
Like father, like son is an expression that means that sons tend to be similar to their fathers. We normally use this idiom to talk about personality, interests, and character.
“Jimmy is tall just like his father, and they have the same smile. Like father, like son.”
“Both Miguel and his father spend their weekends fishing and watching sports. Like father, like son.”
To follow in someone’s footsteps
To follow in someone’s footsteps means to try to achieve the same things that someone else (usually a family member) has already done.
“I decided to go into law instead of medicine. I thought about following in my father’s footsteps and becoming a surgeon, but I don’t think I’d make a great doctor.”
“Michael Douglas followed in his father’s footsteps and became an actor. His father, Kirk Douglas, was also a Hollywood actor.”
A chip off the old block
If someone is a chip off the old block, it means the person is very similar (in character and personality) to one of their parents.
“Tiffany is an accomplished pianist just like her mother. She’s a chip off the old block.”
“Sam’s a chip off the old block. He and his father are both stubborn, headstrong people.”
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