33 Idioms for Family

Family plays an essential role in shaping who we are, with many expressions reflecting the deep bonds, love, and sometimes chaos that come with it. Exploring idioms for family offers us a fun way to understand how language captures these powerful connections.

From the warmth of sibling rivalry to the strength of parental guidance, these 33 idioms reflect the various aspects of family dynamics. Let’s dive into them and discover the meanings behind these colorful expressions!

1. Apple of Your Eye

Meaning: A person who is cherished and loved deeply, often used to refer to a child or loved one.
In a Sentence: My daughter is the apple of my eye; I can’t imagine life without her.
Other Ways to Say: “Center of my world,” “Favorite person,” “Treasure”

2. Blood is Thicker than Water

Meaning: Family relationships are stronger and more important than other types of relationships.
In a Sentence: Even though we argue sometimes, I know blood is thicker than water, and my brother will always have my back.
Other Ways to Say: “Family first,” “Family comes first,” “Stronger than any bond”

3. Like Father, Like Son

Meaning: Sons often resemble or take after their fathers, either in appearance or behavior.
In a Sentence: Little Timmy is so clever, like father, like son.
Other Ways to Say: “Chip off the old block,” “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree”

4. A Chip off the Old Block

Meaning: A person, especially a child, who resembles their parent in character or appearance.
In a Sentence: Jessica is such a chip off the old block—just like her mom in every way!
Other Ways to Say: “Like father, like son,” “A spitting image”

5. Family Ties

Meaning: The strong connections that bond family members together.
In a Sentence: The family ties between us are unbreakable, no matter the distance.
Other Ways to Say: “Family bonds,” “Blood relation,” “Kinship”

6. Home is Where the Heart Is

Meaning: The idea that home is wherever your loved ones are, no matter the location.
In a Sentence: Though I live far from my hometown, I feel at home with my family wherever we are.
Other Ways to Say: “Home is where the love is,” “Love makes a home”

7. The Black Sheep of the Family

Meaning: A family member who is considered different or an outcast due to their behavior or choices.
In a Sentence: He’s always been the black sheep of the family, refusing to follow tradition.
Other Ways to Say: “Outcast,” “Misfit,” “Rebel”

8. Two Peas in a Pod

Meaning: Two people who are very similar, especially in appearance or behavior.
In a Sentence: My twin daughters are two peas in a pod always together, always the same.
Other Ways to Say: “Like two peas in a pod,” “Inseparable,” “Twins”

9. Blood Runs Thicker Than Water

Meaning: Family is more important than other relationships, especially in difficult times.
In a Sentence: Even when things get tough, you can always count on family because blood runs thicker than water.
Other Ways to Say: “Family first,” “Stronger than any bond,” “Family over everything”

10. Putting the Family First

Meaning: Prioritizing the well-being and needs of family members above all else.
In a Sentence: We’ve made a point of putting the family first, especially during the holidays.
Other Ways to Say: “Family comes first,” “Family priority,” “Family is key”

11. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Meaning: Children tend to resemble or inherit qualities from their parents.
In a Sentence: Sarah’s love for painting is no surprise—after all, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
Other Ways to Say: “Chip off the old block,” “Like father, like son”

12. The Family That Plays Together Stays Together

Meaning: Families who spend quality time together are more likely to stay united.
In a Sentence: We’ve always made family outings a priority—after all, the family that plays together stays together.
Other Ways to Say: “Togetherness strengthens bonds,” “Family time is key”

13. A Family Affair

Meaning: Something that involves or concerns the entire family.
In a Sentence: The reunion was truly a family affair, with everyone pitching in to make it happen.
Other Ways to Say: “Family event,” “Family gathering,” “Family matter”

14. Your Flesh and Blood

Meaning: A family member, particularly one who is a direct descendant.
In a Sentence: It’s hard to believe that he’s your flesh and blood, considering how different you are!
Other Ways to Say: “Kin,” “Relative,” “Descendant”

15. In the Family Way

Meaning: A term used to describe someone who is pregnant.
In a Sentence: Congratulations! I heard you’re in the family way and expecting a baby.
Other Ways to Say: “Expecting,” “Pregnant,” “Carrying a child”

16. A Family Resemblance

Meaning: Physical or behavioral traits that family members share.
In a Sentence: There’s a strong family resemblance between you and your aunt—are you related?
Other Ways to Say: “Spitting image,” “Look alike,” “Similar traits”

17. Blood Relative

Meaning: A family member by birth, as opposed to through marriage.
In a Sentence: I didn’t know you were a blood relative of such a famous historian!
Other Ways to Say: “Biological family member,” “Direct descendant”

18. Like Mother, Like Daughter

Meaning: A daughter who shares similar traits with her mother.
In a Sentence: Sarah’s love for gardening is truly like mother, like daughter.
Other Ways to Say: “Chip off the old block,” “Spitting image”

19. A Little Chip off the Old Block

Meaning: A child who is very similar to their parent.
In a Sentence: Ben is a little chip off the old block, always thinking and acting just like his dad.
Other Ways to Say: “Like father, like son,” “Mini-me”

20. Keep It in the Family

Meaning: To deal with something within the family, without involving outsiders.
In a Sentence: We’ve decided to keep the business in the family rather than sell it to someone outside.
Other Ways to Say: “Family-run,” “Stay within the family”

21. Run in the Family

Meaning: A trait or characteristic that is common among family members.
In a Sentence: Artistic talent really runs in the family—everyone from your grandmother to your cousin paints.
Other Ways to Say: “Family trait,” “Inherited characteristic”

22. Close-Knit Family

Meaning: A family that is very close emotionally, with strong bonds.
In a Sentence: We’re a close-knit family, always supporting each other no matter what.
Other Ways to Say: “Tight family,” “Bonded family”

23. Family Oriented

Meaning: Someone who prioritizes family life and relationships.
In a Sentence: John is very family-oriented, always spending his weekends with his kids.
Other Ways to Say: “Family-focused,” “Family-first person”

24. Over the Moon for Someone

Meaning: Feeling extremely happy and delighted, especially about family members.
In a Sentence: We were over the moon when we heard about his promotion—he deserves it!
Other Ways to Say: “Ecstatic,” “Thrilled,” “On cloud nine”

25. Generational Gap

Meaning: Differences in opinions, attitudes, or behaviors between people of different generations.
In a Sentence: The generational gap between my parents and me is so evident when we discuss technology.
Other Ways to Say: “Generation divide,” “Age gap”

26. Father Knows Best

Meaning: A saying implying that fathers often have the wisdom to make the right decisions.
In a Sentence: You might not agree, but father knows best in this case.
Other Ways to Say: “Father’s wisdom,” “Dad’s advice”

27. Raising the Family

Meaning: Taking care of and nurturing children as they grow.
In a Sentence: Raising the family is both a joy and a challenge, but I wouldn’t change it for the world.
Other Ways to Say: “Parenting,” “Child-rearing,” “Growing the family”

28. The Prodigal Son

Meaning: A family member who leaves but returns after a period of absence or wrongdoing.
In a Sentence: After years of traveling, Tom came back as the prodigal son, seeking forgiveness.
Other Ways to Say: “Returnee,” “Lost child,” “Homecoming”

29. Spitting Image

Meaning: Someone who looks exactly like another person, often a family member.
In a Sentence: Mary is the spitting image of her grandmother; they even have the same smile.
Other Ways to Say: “Twin,” “Carbon copy,” “Mini-me”

30. A House Divided

Meaning: A family or group that is split due to disagreements or conflict.
In a Sentence: The once-strong family is now a house divided, struggling to agree on any matter.
Other Ways to Say: “Split family,” “Divided household”

31. Blood Runs Deep

Meaning: The idea that family ties are strong and unbreakable.
In a Sentence: Even though we’ve had our differences, blood runs deep, and we always come together in the end.
Other Ways to Say: “Unbreakable bond,” “Strong family ties”

32. A Family Secret

Meaning: A secret kept within a family, often hidden for a long time.
In a Sentence: The family secret was revealed after years of speculation, causing a stir among relatives.
Other Ways to Say: “Hidden truth,” “Family mystery”

33. A Skeleton in the Closet

Meaning: A family secret or past shame that is kept hidden.
In a Sentence: We all have skeletons in the closet, but it’s best to leave the past behind.
Other Ways to Say: “Dark family secret,” “Hidden shame”

MCQ Quiz on Family Idioms

1. What does the idiom “Apple of Your Eye” mean?
a) A person who is cherished and loved deeply.
b) A person who is difficult to get along with.
c) A person who resembles their parent.
d) A person who is often absent from the family.

Answer: a) A person who is cherished and loved deeply.

2. What does the idiom “Blood is Thicker Than Water” imply?
a) Friends are more important than family.
b) Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.
c) Blood donations are critical.
d) Water is essential for life.

Answer: b) Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.

3. Which of the following idioms means a child who resembles their parent?
a) A family affair
b) Like Father, Like Son
c) Keep it in the family
d) A chip off the old block

Answer: b) Like Father, Like Son

4. What is meant by the idiom “Blood Runs Thicker Than Water”?
a) You can trust anyone more than your family.
b) Family relationships are more important than others.
c) Water is essential for survival.
d) Blood-related issues are always more serious than water-related ones.

Answer: b) Family relationships are more important than others.

5. “Two Peas in a Pod” refers to:
a) A family member who is very different from others.
b) Two people who are very similar, often in behavior or appearance.
c) A family gathering.
d) A disagreement between family members.

Answer: b) Two people who are very similar, often in behavior or appearance.

6. Which idiom means a family member who is considered different or an outcast?
a) The black sheep of the family
b) Home is where the heart is
c) A family affair
d) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

Answer: a) The black sheep of the family

7. What does the idiom “A Family Affair” mean?
a) Something that involves or concerns the entire family.
b) A secret kept within the family.
c) A disagreement within the family.
d) A family tradition passed down through generations.

Answer: a) Something that involves or concerns the entire family.

Conclusion

Idioms for family offer a unique way to express the love, challenges, and deep connections that come with family life. Whether referring to deep bonds, shared traits, or the joy of family time, these idioms capture the essence of family dynamics in a creative and relatable way.