Family Idioms: Idioms are common words or phrases with a culturally understood meaning that differs from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. The meanings of these idioms are often unpredictable. It is advisable to use idioms when learning a language, especially communication because they help us sound fluent and familiar. They are also the shortest way to communicate certain expressions for which there are no other words.
In this article on idioms in English, we will learn the meaning of useful family idioms along with their examples.
Family Idioms in English with Examples
- Accident Of Birth: Luck in something due to a good family fortune.
Example: John became the company CEO when he was only 26, but that’s an accident of birth – his father is one of the significant shareholders.
- And His Mother: Used to intensify an inclusive noun or phrase such as everyone or everybody.
Example: Everybody and his mother are going to be at the new year’s party.
- Big Brother: Government, viewed as an intrusive force in the lives of citizens; spying by the government.
Example: Big Brother seems to grow more and more potent as data about individuals is accumulated on social networks.
- Blue Blood (adj.: blue-blooded): Person of noble birth or aristocratic background; someone from high society.
Example: The blue blood generally keeps to themselves, but a charity fashion show is a good place to see them dress up.
- Bob’s Your Uncle: The rest part is easy; you’re almost done or finished.
Example: You just need to enter the update code, register the new software, and Bob’s your uncle.
- (Be the) Spitting Image: Having a strong resemblance, generally within the family.
Example: Sophie is the spitting image of her mother.
- Father Figure: A mentor or someone who offers guidance and commands great respect and inspires feelings like a father.
Example: My English teacher James is a father figure to me since I was a child.
- Flesh and Blood: Blood relatives or close relatives from the family.
Example: Only a few people in this world understand you like your flesh and blood, even if you don’t like them much.
- Helicopter Parenting: Overattentive child-raising or paying extreme attention to the child and its problems.
Example: You should not lean towards helicopter parenting. Letting children have independence helps them grow.
- Kith and Kin: Family (collectively) or relatives.
Example: You should invite all your kith and kin to your new house.
- My Old Man, My Old Lady: My spouse (husband or wife).
Example: I’d love to go to the mall with you, but I told my old lady I’d have dinner with her today.
- Pop the Question: Propose for marriage.
Example: It’s been five years, and I think I’m ready to pop the question to Samantha.
- Small Fry: People or organizations with little influence; insignificant people; children.
Example: The police only caught the small fry; the leader of the gang was still left.
- Spare The Rod and Spoil the Child: Children need to be punished physically when they do something wrong, to raise them right.
Example: Martha is too lenient with her children; she should not spare the rod and spoil the child.
- Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water: Eliminate something good while getting rid of the bad parts.
Example: The article has a few errors, but I think we should not start fresh and throw the baby out with the bathwater.
- Up the Duff:
Example: The actress was up the duff, and her admirers were so happy for her.
- To Run in the Family: If something likequality, skill, interest, problem, disease, etc., is inherited as a trait by multiple family members.
Example: Harry is an excellent drummer; the musical talent runs in his family.
- Like Father, Like Son: The son tends to be similar to the father in terms of personality, interests, and character.
Example: John is hard-working, just like his father, like father, like son.
- In One’s Blood: If something is a fundamental part of who that person is and something ingrained in that person’s family, it is said to be in one’s blood.
Example: Jamie loves to dance, and so does her mother. Dancing is in their blood.
- (Just) One Big Happy Family: A group of people who get along and work well together. This idiom can sometimes be used sarcastically.
Example: Our firm is like one big happy family that has been successful because of our close-knit relationship.
- To Wear the Pants: The person who is in charge of a family or the person who holds the authority.
Example: My mother wears the pants in the family of us four.
- Breadwinner: A person who financially provides for the family, generally the sole earner.
Example: Our father was the breadwinner of the family and worked for long hours.
- (Own) Flesh and Blood: A person’s close relative, family or relations.
Example: You should forgive your son; after all, he’s your flesh and blood.
- Black Sheep: The black sheep of the family is someone who brings shame to the family by being different or doing something wrong.
Example: Jessie is the black sheep of the family. She’s been in college for the last seven years and still hasn’t graduated.
- Family Man: A man devoted to his wife and children and enjoys spending time with them.
Example: Jimmy is a true family man. He always spends his free time with his wife and kids.
- Born With a Silver Spoon in Mouth: If someone was born with a silver spoon in their mouth, it means that they were born into a wealthy and privileged family.
Example: Liam was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He always got whatever he wanted.
- Like Taking Candy from a Baby: Something very easy to do.
Example: Beating the opponent team was like taking candy from a baby.