35 Idioms for Family

Idioms for Family are a treasure trove of expressions that capture the essence of familial bonds. Whether it’s the warmth of love, the strength of support, or the joy of togetherness, these idioms enrich our conversations and deepen our connections.

Imagine chatting with your loved ones and effortlessly weaving in these colorful phrases that resonate with shared experiences. Each idiom tells a story, reflecting the unique dynamics of family life. Ready to explore these delightful expressions? Let’s dive in and discover how they can add charm and meaning to your family conversations!

Idioms for Family

1. Blood is thicker than water

Meaning: Family ties are stronger than other relationships.
In a Sentence: Even though they fought, he always remembered that blood is thicker than water.
Other Ways to Say: Family comes first; kinship matters most.

2. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

Meaning: Children often resemble their parents in behavior or characteristics.
In a Sentence: She loves music just like her father; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Other Ways to Say: Like father, like son; a chip off the old block.

3. A family affair

Meaning: A situation or event that involves the entire family.
In a Sentence: The reunion turned into a family affair with everyone pitching in.
Other Ways to Say: A household gathering; a clan event.

4. Home is where the heart is

Meaning: True happiness comes from being with loved ones, regardless of physical location.
In a Sentence: After traveling, I realized home is where the heart is.
Other Ways to Say: Happiness is with loved ones; my heart belongs to my family.

5. It takes a village

Meaning: Raising children requires support from a community.
In a Sentence: She often says it takes a village to raise her kids.
Other Ways to Say: Community support is essential; teamwork in parenting.

6. Like two peas in a pod

Meaning: Two people who are very similar or close.
In a Sentence: My sister and I are like two peas in a pod; we think alike.
Other Ways to Say: Birds of a feather; joined at the hip.

7. Family ties

Meaning: The connections and relationships between family members.
In a Sentence: Despite the distance, family ties keep us connected.
Other Ways to Say: Kinship bonds; familial connections.

8. idioms for family a chip off the old block

Meaning: A child who resembles or behaves like a parent.
In a Sentence: He’s a chip off the old block, always fixing things like his dad.
Other Ways to Say: Like father, like son; a spitting image.

9. idioms for family To carry the torch for someone

Meaning: To support or maintain a strong affection for someone, often unrequited.
In a Sentence: She still carries the torch for her childhood friend.
Other Ways to Say: Hold a candle; remain devoted.

10. Family is everything

Meaning: Family should be prioritized above all else.
In a Sentence: After all these years, he believes family is everything.
Other Ways to Say: Family comes first; kin is paramount.

11. To have someone’s back

Meaning: To support someone, especially during difficult times.
In a Sentence: I know my brother has my back no matter what.
Other Ways to Say: Stand by someone; be there for someone.

12. To sweep something under the rug

Meaning: To hide or ignore problems instead of addressing them.
In a Sentence: They tried to sweep their issues under the rug, but it didn’t work.
Other Ways to Say: Bury the hatchet; avoid confrontation.

13. To be on the same page

Meaning: To have a shared understanding or agreement.
In a Sentence: Before making decisions, it’s important that we’re all on the same page.
Other Ways to Say: Be in agreement; share a consensus.

14. idioms for family To break the mold

Meaning: To do something in a new or unique way, often deviating from tradition.
In a Sentence: She broke the mold by choosing a different career path than her family.
Other Ways to Say: Think outside the box; forge a new path.

15. A shoulder to cry on

Meaning: Someone who offers sympathy and support during tough times.
In a Sentence: After her breakup, she needed a shoulder to cry on.
Other Ways to Say: A listening ear; emotional support.

16. To bury the hatchet

Meaning: To resolve a conflict and make peace.
In a Sentence: It was time to bury the hatchet after years of fighting.
Other Ways to Say: Make amends; reconcile differences.

17. To hold the family together

Meaning: To be the person who maintains unity within the family.
In a Sentence: She always tries to hold the family together during tough times.
Other Ways to Say: Be the glue; maintain family bonds.

18. To be in someone’s shoes

Meaning: To understand someone’s situation by imagining oneself in their position.
In a Sentence: If I were in your shoes, I would talk to your parents.
Other Ways to Say: Walk a mile in someone’s shoes; see from their perspective.

19. To keep the peace

Meaning: To maintain harmony and prevent conflict.
In a Sentence: She often tries to keep the peace during family gatherings.
Other Ways to Say: Maintain tranquility; avoid disputes.

20. To take after someone

Meaning: To resemble a family member in appearance or behavior.
In a Sentence: He takes after his mother with his artistic talent.
Other Ways to Say: Inherit traits; follow in someone’s footsteps.

21. To pass the torch

Meaning: To hand over responsibility or leadership to the next generation.
In a Sentence: It was time to pass the torch to my children.
Other Ways to Say: Transfer responsibility; hand over the reins.

22. To put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture.
In a Sentence: It’s unwise to put all your eggs in one basket when planning for the future.
Other Ways to Say: Rely on one thing; take a single risk.

23. A family tradition

Meaning: A practice or custom passed down through generations.
In a Sentence: Our family tradition is to gather for dinner every Sunday.
Other Ways to Say: Familial custom; ancestral practice.

24. To weather the storm

Meaning: To endure a difficult situation.
In a Sentence: They managed to weather the storm of financial troubles together.
Other Ways to Say: Get through tough times; endure challenges.

25. To grow apart

Meaning: To become less close over time.
In a Sentence: As adults, they began to grow apart despite their childhood closeness.
Other Ways to Say: Drift away; lose connection.

26. To have one’s hands full

Meaning: To be very busy or occupied with responsibilities.
In a Sentence: With three kids, she always has her hands full.
Other Ways to Say: Be overwhelmed; be busy.

27. To see eye to eye

Meaning: To agree on something.
In a Sentence: They finally learned to see eye to eye on family matters.
Other Ways to Say: Be in agreement; share the same view.

28. To keep in touch

Meaning: To maintain communication with someone.
In a Sentence: They try to keep in touch despite the distance.
Other Ways to Say: Stay connected; maintain contact.

29. To hit home

Meaning: To resonate deeply or personally.
In a Sentence: The story about family struggles hit home for many listeners.
Other Ways to Say: Strike a chord; resonate personally.

30. To be the black sheep

Meaning: A family member who is different or stands out negatively.
In a Sentence: He always felt like the black sheep of the family.
Other Ways to Say: Outcast; the odd one out.

31. To make ends meet

Meaning: To manage financially, especially when resources are limited.
In a Sentence: They work multiple jobs to make ends meet.
Other Ways to Say: Balance the budget; manage finances.

32. To follow in someone’s footsteps

Meaning: To emulate someone’s actions or career path.
In a Sentence: She decided to follow in her mother’s footsteps and become a teacher.
Other Ways to Say: Walk the same path; emulate.

33. To be a family man/woman

Meaning: Someone who prioritizes family in their life.
In a Sentence: He’s a true family man, always spending time with his kids.
Other Ways to Say: Family-oriented; devoted to family.

34. To be thick as thieves

Meaning: To be very close friends or allies, often in a secretive way.
In a Sentence: My cousins are thick as thieves, always getting into mischief together.
Other Ways to Say: Close-knit; inseparable.

35. idioms for family To tie the knot

Meaning: To get married.
In a Sentence: They decided to tie the knot after years of dating.
Other Ways to Say: Get hitched; walk down the aisle.

Quiz on Idioms for Family

1. What does the idiom “blood is thicker than water” mean?

A) Family ties are weaker than friendships.
B) Family ties are stronger than other relationships.
C) Water is more important than blood.
D) None of the above.

2. Which idiom suggests that children often resemble their parents?

A) A family affair
B) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
C) Family is everything
D) To weather the storm

Answer: B) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

3. What does “it takes a village” imply?

A) Only family can raise children.
B) Community support is essential in raising children.
C) Villages are better than cities.
D) Children should be raised in isolation.

Answer: B) Community support is essential in raising children.

4. Which idiom means to resolve a conflict and make peace?

A) To keep the peace
B) To bury the hatchet
C) To have someone’s back
D) To break the mold

Answer: B) To bury the hatchet

5. What does the phrase “to be the black sheep” refer to?

A) A family member who is favored.
B) A family member who stands out negatively.
C) A family member who is very successful.
D) A family member who is always happy.

Answer: B) A family member who stands out negatively.

6. What does “to keep in touch” mean?

A) To ignore someone.
B) To maintain communication with someone.
C) To visit frequently.
D) To forget someone.

Answer: B) To maintain communication with someone.

7. Which idioms for family indicates strong support during difficult times?

A) To hit home
B) A shoulder to cry on
C) To carry the torch
D) To grow apart

Answer: B) A shoulder to cry on

8. The expression “to see eye to eye” signifies:

A) To disagree with someone.
B) To have a shared understanding or agreement.
C) To avoid eye contact.
D) To look alike.

Answer: B) To have a shared understanding or agreement.

9. Which idioms for family means to emulate someone’s actions or career path?

A) To follow in someone’s footsteps
B) To put all your eggs in one basket
C) To make ends meet
D) To carry the torch

Answer: A) To follow in someone’s footsteps

10. What does “to tie the knot” refer to?

A) To make a friendship.
B) To get married.
C) To break a relationship.
D) To start a business.

Answer: B) To get married.

Conclusion

idioms for family beautifully encapsulate the rich tapestry of relationships that shape our lives. These expressions not only enhance our communication but also remind us of the values, traditions, and emotions tied to our loved ones. Whether celebrating joy, navigating challenges, or simply expressing affection, these idioms serve as a bridge between generations. By incorporating them into our daily conversations, we keep the essence of family alive, fostering connections that endure. Embrace these idioms and let them enrich your understanding of what family truly means!

Carla Jones

Carla Jones is an expert blogger in English Language Teaching, sharing innovative strategies and insights to empower educators and enhance language learning experiences for students worldwide.