No matter who you are or where you are from, family is important. You may not choose your relatives, but these helpful family idioms will help you talk about them as you improve your English.
Some idioms about family are hard to figure out, as are most English idioms, so you’ll find plenty of helpful examples and clear explanations in this list.
Family idioms to describe things in common
We often like to highlight likenesses between family members, whether it’s physical appearance or personality traits. So let’s begin with some expressions about family similarities.
Chip off the (old) block
There are many fun family idioms to express how you resemble members of your family. If you are said to be a chip off the (old) block you have features or characteristics like your parents (or perhaps grandparents).
“I’m so impressed that Sally won the high jump competition just like her mum did 20 years ago. She’s a chip off the old block.”
To take after someone
The next of our idioms about family similarities is to take after someone. This means that you share certain features or personality traits with other family members. However, a person can only take after someone who is older than them, whether an older sibling, parent, aunt, uncle, grandparent, etc.
“Actually her dad is a great baseball player so I guess she must take after him?”
Don’t confuse this with the phrase to take OFF after someone, which means to run after someone quickly and attempt to catch them.
Like father, like son
This family idiom is used when we want to liken a child to their parent (usually of the same sex). So to use the saying like father, like son is to say that a son is similar to his father in some way. It could be that the father has passed down his enthusiasm for a particular hobby, or a certain personality trait.
“His fashion sense reminds me of his dad. Like father like son, don’t you think?”
Although perhaps not as common, you could change the phrase to say like mother, like daughter. It’s far less common to mix the genders, e.g. ‘Like mother, like son’.
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Another general saying about family similarities is the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. It means that children typically have a lot in common with their parents.
“Sadly, her mum was a bit of a wild one so I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with her daughter.”
This idiom also has an autumn connection so be sure to check out other summer, winter, spring and autumn idioms.
Run in the family
To say something runs in the family would be yet another way to describe how you are like your family in many ways.
“To be honest the whole family are talented artists. I guess it must run in the family.”
“Blue eyes don’t run in the family so I’m not sure how my daughter ended up with them!”
This also features on our list of run idioms – which showcases many meanings of the word ‘run’.
In your blood
A similar expression is it’s in your blood. This suggests that your family blood (or more likely your DNA) contains a certain skill or personality trait.
“I’m not surprised to hear you did well at school sports day. It’s in your blood.”
“Janine has such a love for cooking, just like her mother. It must be in her blood.”
Spitting image
All of the family idioms on this list so far have been quite general; applicable to appearance, personality or talents.
This one is more specific though. To say that someone is a spitting image of another person means that they look very similar. It has nothing to do with personality.
“Both siblings have intense green eyes. They are the spitting image of each other.”
Note that this is not limited to describing similarities between relations. You could use it to liken someone to a celebrity, for example.
Follow in someone’s footsteps
This saying is normally used to describe how children choose the same life decisions as their parents. To follow in someone’s footsteps means you go to the same university, get the same job, travel to the same places, etc. as your parents did.
“I think she wants to be a mechanic to follow in her dad’s footsteps.”
“I can see that Jojo is going to follow in my footsteps and travel the world.”
Fly the nest / coop
Just as a bird leaves its nest when it is old enough, there comes a time for a child to leave their family home and establish an independent life. This is described as flying the nest or coop.
“Don’t worry about what your parents think. In a few more months you’ll be flying the coop anyway.”
There are several other freedom idioms that describe the relationship between parents and children.
Idioms about family
Mama’s boy
This phrase can be used in many ways but it’s basically saying that a son is still very attached to their mother. A mama’s boy, or mummy’s boy in British English, may also be timid, shy or overly polite, and greatly influenced by their mother.
“To be honest, he needs to toughen up and stop being such a mama’s boy.”
Note that this expression is usually derogatory when used to describe teens or adults, suggesting that they should gain some independence and become more masculine.
Daddy’s girl
Is a Daddy’s girl the opposite of a Mummy’s boy? Not exactly. It describes a daughter who is attached to her father and shows him a lot of affection, possibly more than so than to her mother. It’s not typically used in a negative way (even for adults).
“Lisa has always been a bit of a Daddy’s girl, but it’s not surprising when you look at all the gifts he buys her.”
Our list of idioms for kids has more good ways to describe children – and some entertaining sayings for them as well.
Swear on your mother’s grave
When protesting the fact you’re telling the truth or making a very solemn promise, you may be asked to swear on your mother’s grave (even if she is still alive!). It would be very bad to do this if you were lying.
“I don’t believe you’re telling me the truth. Swear on your mother’s grave and then I’ll believe you.”
Explore some more idioms for telling the truth and lying.
Everyone and their mother
This is an easy family idiom to slip into everyday conversation. If you want to describe a large number of people in an exaggerated way, say everyone and their mother.
“The supermarket was so busy this evening. I think everyone and their mother had decided to go shopping at the same time.”
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?
The sarcastic rhetorical question, Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?, is said to express disapproval after someone has used bad language (a swear word).
“We don’t use words like that! Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?”
There are many variants of ‘mother’ in this phrase, including ‘momma’, ‘grandmother’ and ‘granny’.
Big brother is watching
You may have heard this as part of the popular TV show ‘Big Brother’, or perhaps during conversations with friends. If you feel you are being monitored by big companies, CCTV, or the government, use the expression big brother is watching. However, you can also use this if you feel a person is monitoring you, for example an ex-partner or boss.
“I knew the tax man would catch up with you in the end. Big brother is always watching!”
The phrase big brother is watching you comes from the cult book by George Orwell called ‘1984’. In fact, there are many other phrases we use today that came from this book.
My brother’s / sister’s keeper
To be your sister’s keeper is to be protective or responsible for her. However, you would use brother’s keeper in the negative form to say that you are not your brother’s keeper. This phrase comes from the Bible and the story of Cain and Abel, in which one states he is not responsible for the actions of his brother.
“It’s up to him what he does. I’m not my brother’s keeper.”
“I’m happy to be my sister’s keeper. Who else will look out for her?”
Mum’s the word
Some family idioms aren’t connected to families apart from the word used. Mum’s the word is a fun way of asking for a secret to be kept, warning someone not to say anything, or promising that you will keep a secret.
“Ok, the surprise party is all organised for the 5th at 9pm and remember everyone, mum’s the word.”
“Your secret is safe with me, don’t worry. Mum’s the word.”
For some reason, people often say this phrase as they tap the side of your nose (and even perhaps wink). These gestures also hint at a secret.
Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs
This saying may mention a family member, but don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs is more an idiom about teaching. It means that you shouldn’t try to teach something to someone who is already more experienced than you.
“I may be older than you but I still now how to use an iPhone! Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs.”
Breadwinner
Within the traditional family unit, the breadwinner is the person who earns the most money to support the family.
“I think their mother runs the law firm in town. She’s the breadwinner.”
This would normally be the husband or wife within a marriage.
There are more idioms about bread and other foods you can learn about, as well as plenty of marriage idioms.
Black sheep
Most families have that one member who just doesn’t fit in, often because other family members disapprove of them or believe they have done something bad. Perhaps it was something that brought shame to the family or went against their culture or beliefs. This person, sadly, would be described as the black sheep of the family.
Note that it doesn’t necessarily mean they DID do something bad, only that their relatives perceived it that way.
“We don’t talk about Bruno. He said a few things we didn’t like and is the black sheep of the family.”
You could also use this expression to describe this type of person in any other group. It’s just one of many animal idioms we have in English.
Flesh and blood
In terms of family idioms, flesh and blood means that you and your family are of the same blood and made from the same flesh. That family is important and should be respected and honored.
“We can’t allow people to treat our family like that. We’re flesh and blood.”
You might also describe someone as your own flesh and blood – in this case usually your child.
This idiom does have other meanings, such as describing a living thing or talking about humanity and its flaws.
Born with a silver spoon (in your mouth)
If you want to show resentment to a person born into a wealthy family then use the expression born with a silver spoon (in your mouth).
“That politician has no idea what the working class are going through. He was born with a sliver spoon in his mouth.”
Read more: Idioms about wealth and money
Blood is thicker than water
Although technically a proverb, it’s a very popular water idiom that you may hear in movies and day-to-day conversation. Blood is thicker than water is a clever way of saying that loyalty and family bonds are the strongest, and should be prioritized over any other relationships.
“The choice is yours but remember that blood is thicker than water.”
Bob’s your uncle
The meaning of this predominantly British idiom is actually nothing to do with family, but it’s too fun to leave off this list. Who is Bob? Perhaps not your uncle, but people say Bob’s your uncle to express that something is quick or easy to do.
“We just pop this in the microwave for 30 seconds and, Bob’s your uncle, it’s ready to eat.
So, now you have plenty of family idioms to describe similarities and a whole load of other things that go on in families. Be sure to leave a comment and let us know which is your favorite from this list. Are there any more expressions about family that you can think of?
Next, why not check out some idioms about relationships? These relate more to romance and dating, although there are many that can be applied to family situations too.
