English is a language packed full of idioms. These expressions cover plenty of different topics and, believe it or not, the topic of houses and homes appears frequently.
From ‘safe as houses’ to ‘home sweet home’, these idioms show the attachment and importance we have for the places we live in.
In this list, you’ll find over 30 of the most common house idioms and home-related sayings, along with their meanings and examples of how to use them in everyday conversation.
House idioms
Get along like a house on fire
When two or more people get along like a house on fire it simply means they get along very well. They have a good time together and enjoy each other’s company.
“Look at our kids. They’re getting along like a house on fire.”
A slight variation of this friendship idiom is get on like a house on fire.
Make yourself at home
This welcoming phrase is inviting you to feel comfortable in someone else’s house. When you make yourself at home you should feel free to act like you would in your own house.
“When I babysat last night they told me to make myself at home so I helped myself to the cake in the fridge.”
As big as a house
This is one of the simpler house idioms to explain. If you want to emphasize (or even exaggerate) the size of something, you can say it is as big as a house.
“The pile of homework I had to complete was as big as a house!”
Of course, this simile only works if the thing in question is not any bigger than a house. If it is, you will need to think of something even larger to insert into the saying – perhaps a mountain?
A home away from home
You may hear this saying when talking about summer vacations or other places that you have stayed. A home away from home is a place where you feel as comfortable as you do in your own house.
“We love to stay in this hotel and do so every visit. It’s a bit of a home away from home.”
A roundhouse kick
A roundhouse kick is a technique used in martial arts. The person swings their leg around in a semicircular motion to strike their opponent with the front or side of their foot.
“He won the gold medal with a fast roundhouse kick to the head.”
An Englishman’s home is his castle
This is a predominantly British English idiom, but it’s still popular enough to make it onto our list of idioms with home themes.
An Englishman’s home is his castle refers to the belief that a person’s home is a place of safety and privacy, and they have the right to do whatever they want there, without interference from other people or the government.
“Dave is building a big fence as he protests that an Englishman’s home is his castle.”
Built like a brick outhouse
Some house idioms can be used to describe how people look or act, and this is one of them.
A person who is very powerful, muscular, or sturdy could be described as being built like a brick outhouse. This saying can also apply to a structure that is unusually sturdy and stable.
“That rugby forward is built like a brick outhouse.”
“This garage will withstand any weather. It’s built like a brick outhouse.”
An ‘outhouse’ is a small outside lavatory. There’s a less polite term that you may also hear used in an expletive version of this phrase. These structures are often cobbled together from wood, so a brick one would be unusually strong.
As safe as houses
A fun way to emphasize that something is very secure and not at risk is to say that it is as safe as houses.
“I invested in a solid company with good prospects, so I feel my financial future is as safe as houses.”
This finance idiom comes from the idea that property will always be a safe investment.
On the house
As with a few of the other house idioms here, the term ‘house’ can refer to a venue, restaurant, or establishment. Something offered on the house is given for free by the establishment, either to thank you for your business or perhaps as an apology for a mistake.
It could be a complimentary drink or dessert or an upgrade to a better room, for example.
“Mr Jones, it’s the 20th time you’ve stayed with us so I’d like to offer you a bottle of wine, on the house.”
Another version of this idiom is compliments of the house.
Full house
Here’s another time when the word ‘house’ is used to talk about a venue like a theater. A full house means that all tickets have been sold and the venue is full.
“It’s a full house for opening night.”
A ‘full house’ is also a hand in poker.
Bring the house down
You may have heard of this musical expression if you perform or like to watch live performances. To bring the house down is to put on such a great show that the audience cheers, claps, and makes a great deal of noise.
“The last band’s performance was so amazing. They really brought the house down.”
Homebody
A homebody is someone who prefers to stay at home rather than going out.
“The older I get, the more of a homebody I become.”
Home is where the heart is
You’ll start to notice that not all of these house idioms refer to a physical building.
In this case, the lovely phrase home is where the heart is means that the place where you feel most comfortable and happy is the place you can call home – no matter where that may be.
“Even though I travel a lot, I always feel like home is where the heart is – back with my family and friends.”
Home run
You’ll find this phrase in our list of baseball-related idioms as well. In the game, a home run is a guaranteed point for the team so it’s what all players aim for.
Outside of the context of a baseball game, if someone says you have scored a home run, they think you have done something successfully.
“Mike really scored a home run when he exceeded his sales targets.”
Home sweet home
This home idiom is typically said when you return home from a vacation or other time away. To sigh lovingly “home sweet home” acknowledges that you are happy to be back and that there is no place like your own home.
“Ah, home sweet home. Greece was beautiful, but I’m happy to be back.”
House of cards
Have you ever tried building a house with a pack of playing cards? It’s very tricky to lean them against one another and then balance more on top. For most people, they come tumbling down as it’s not a very sturdy structure.
And this is why something that is weak and likely to fail or collapse can be described as a house of cards.
“The business plan was a house of cards that couldn’t withstand the slightest challenge.”
In the doghouse
This relationship idiom is not something you should aspire for. When you are in the doghouse you are in trouble with your partner for something you have done (or maybe forgotten to do)!
“He forgot his wife’s birthday and was in the doghouse all week.”
Fortunately, it doesn’t mean that you are literally sleeping outside in the dog’s house.
This saying is one of many dog idioms that is used often in English.
Is there a doctor in the house?
If somebody has a medical emergency in a public place and needs immediate care, you may inquire “Is there a doctor in the house?“
The ‘house’ traditionally referred to the portion of the theater where the audience sat, but you could say this anywhere to ask if there is a doctor willing to administer care before the emergency services arrive.
“Oh man, he’s collapsed. Is there a doctor in the house?”
Idioms about homes
People in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones
It should be quite obvious that people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones – because they will smash the glass. But what does this mean as a house idiom? It means that you should be careful about criticizing others when the same criticism could apply to you.
“I know she made a mistake but none of us are perfect and people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
You may hear people say just “People in glass houses…” with the meaning of the full idiom implied. This is an example of a partial idiom.
Powerhouse
A person or organization that possesses great strength or influence can be called a powerhouse.
“The new boss is quite the powerhouse and I love that she is making positive changes.”
A house divided against itself cannot stand
A group, team, or family cannot be successful if they are not united. This is the simple explanation of the expression a house divided against itself cannot stand.
“Listen team, we need to work together to achieve our goals – a house divided against itself cannot stand.”
Although it may sound like this saying has links to the Shakespearean play Romeo and Juliet, it actually first appears in the Bible.
This saying comes from Mark 3:24-25. In this passage, Jesus is accused by the scribes of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons. Jesus responds by saying, “If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.”
Why not explore some more Bible idioms here?
The big house
This house idiom is an American slang term. The big house is an alternative way of referring to a prison or correctional facility.
“If he continues acting like this, he’ll be in the big house before he knows it.”
Front of house
Here’s another theater-related house idiom! The front of house refers to the part of a theater that the public sees – the box office, lobby, bar, and so on.
“Ladies and gentlemen, be sure to thank the stage crew and front of house for all their hard work.”
You may also hear this term used to refer to the customer-facing part of other businesses, such as the reception desk in a hotel or the waiting staff in a restaurant.
The house always wins
For this sporting idiom, the ‘house’ is a casino. Even when you think you’re ahead with your betting, the house always wins in the end. It’s an important lesson to learn!
“I was $100 up and then I lost it all on a couple of hands of Blackjack. I guess it’s true, the house always wins.”
There’s no place like home
This is similar to a couple of the other idioms about home we’ve featured. There’s no place like home is another way of saying that no other place can replicate the comfort and security you feel in your own home.
“No matter where I stay on holiday, there’s no place like home.”
This phrase was made famous in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz.
Not a dry eye in the house
Here’s another of house idiom that describes a performance or event. It goes beyond theater shows though – it could refer to a movie, a musical performance, a wedding, or any other event or occasion that is particularly moving.
If someone comments that there was not a dry eye in the house, it means that it was very emotionally moving and lots of people (if not literally everyone) were crying.
“There was not a dry eye in the house as the soldier gave her speech.”
“As the pianist reached his final notes, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.”
Eat someone out of house and home
This fun saying may be used most often when talking about children! When they eat you out of house and home they consume or use up all of your resources, particularly food or money.
“I can’t wait for them to go back to college next week; they’re eating me out of house and home.”
Get your house in order
To get your house in order may mean to organize or improve your actual house, home life, and family. Or, in a more figurative sense, it can mean to make better choices and look after your own professional and personal affairs.
“I think he needs to take some time off work to get his house in order.”
Go around the houses
Although house idioms are fun, sometimes it’s important to get to the point of what you are saying. If you go around the houses you aren’t being direct, but instead you are wasting time saying unimportant things.
“Betty, I have to leave in 2 minutes. Could you stop going around the houses and say what you need to say?”
There are some more idioms about talking that have a similar meaning.
You could also use this saying if you are going somewhere and don’t take the most direct route.
“Sorry we’re late. We went around the houses trying to find the right turning.”
Whether we’re talking about the physical structures we live in or the emotional connections we have to those places, houses and homes play a significant role in our lives – and in our language, too!
We trust this list of over 30 house idioms has shed some light on what they mean and how to use them. Did we miss any of your favourite expressions? Do you have a personal story or experience that relates to one of these idioms? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below!
