Idioms For Friends: Expressing Friendship In English

Understanding idioms is crucial for mastering the English language. Idioms add color and depth to conversations, making communication more engaging and nuanced.

This article focuses specifically on idioms related to friendship, providing a comprehensive guide to help you understand and use these expressions effectively. Whether you’re an ESL student, a language enthusiast, or simply looking to enrich your vocabulary, this guide will provide you with the knowledge and practice you need to confidently use idioms about friendship.

By learning these idioms, you’ll be able to express your feelings about friendship more accurately and connect with native English speakers on a deeper level. This guide will cover definitions, examples, usage rules, common mistakes, and practice exercises to ensure a thorough understanding of the topic.

Definition of Idioms for Friends
Structural Breakdown of Friendship Idioms
Types and Categories of Friendship Idioms
Examples of Friendship Idioms
Usage Rules for Friendship Idioms
Common Mistakes with Friendship Idioms
Practice Exercises
Advanced Topics in Friendship Idioms
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion

Definition of Idioms for Friends

An idiom is a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be understood from the ordinary meanings of the words it contains. In simpler terms, it’s a saying where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words. Idioms related to friendship are phrases that describe different aspects of friendship, such as loyalty, support, closeness, and shared experiences.

These idioms are often figurative and add color to language, making it more expressive and relatable. Understanding these idioms allows you to grasp the deeper meaning behind conversations and to communicate more effectively about your relationships with friends.

They reflect cultural nuances and historical contexts, providing a window into how English speakers perceive and value friendship.

For example, the idiom “thick as thieves” doesn’t literally mean that friends are criminals. Instead, it means that they are very close and share secrets. Similarly, “to have someone’s back” doesn’t involve physically protecting someone’s back; it means to support and defend them.

Structural Breakdown of Friendship Idioms

Friendship idioms can be broken down into several structural categories, based on their grammatical form and the way they are used in sentences. Understanding these structures can help you use the idioms correctly and identify them more easily when you encounter them.

1. Verb Phrases: Many friendship idioms are verb phrases, which consist of a verb and one or more other words. These idioms often describe actions or behaviors related to friendship. Examples include “to stick by someone” (to remain loyal to someone), “to patch things up” (to resolve a disagreement), and “to bury the hatchet” (to make peace).

2. Prepositional Phrases: Some idioms are prepositional phrases, which start with a preposition and modify a noun or verb. These idioms often describe the state of a friendship or the relationship between friends. Examples include “in someone’s corner” (supporting someone), “through thick and thin” (during good times and bad times), and “on the same wavelength” (having the same ideas and opinions).

3. Similes and Metaphors: Many idioms use similes or metaphors to create vivid comparisons related to friendship. Similes use “like” or “as” to compare two things, while metaphors directly equate them. Examples include “as thick as thieves” (very close), “a shoulder to cry on” (someone who offers support), and “a fair-weather friend” (someone who is only a friend when things are going well).

4. Compound Nouns: Some idioms are compound nouns, which are two or more words that function as a single noun. These idioms often describe a type of friend or a quality of friendship. Examples include “bosom buddies” (very close friends), “a true blue friend” (a loyal and dependable friend), and “a friend in need” (someone who helps during difficult times).

Types and Categories of Friendship Idioms

Friendship idioms can be categorized based on the specific aspects of friendship they describe. Here are some common categories:

1. Support and Reliability: These idioms describe friends who are always there for each other, offering help and encouragement. Examples include “to have someone’s back,” “to be a shoulder to cry on,” and “to stick by someone.”

2. Closeness and Intimacy: These idioms describe friends who are very close, sharing a deep connection and understanding. Examples include “as thick as thieves,” “bosom buddies,” and “to be on the same wavelength.”

3. Loyalty and Trust: These idioms describe friends who are loyal and trustworthy, always keeping their promises and defending each other. Examples include “a true blue friend,” “to be there through thick and thin,” and “to keep someone’s secrets.”

4. Shared Experiences: These idioms describe friends who have shared many experiences together, creating a strong bond. Examples include “to go way back,” “to have history,” and “partners in crime.”

5. Difficult Times: These idioms describe how friends handle challenges and disagreements. Examples include “to patch things up,” “to bury the hatchet,” and “to go through a rough patch.”

Examples of Friendship Idioms

Here are some examples of friendship idioms, organized by category. Each example includes the idiom, its meaning, and a sample sentence.

Idioms About Support and Reliability

These idioms highlight the importance of being supportive and reliable in a friendship. They describe the actions and qualities of a friend who is always there to help.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to support and reliability.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
To have someone’s back	To support and defend someone	“Don’t worry, I’ll have your back in the meeting if anyone disagrees with your proposal.”
To be a shoulder to cry on	To offer comfort and support during difficult times	“After her breakup, she needed a shoulder to cry on, so she called her best friend.”
To stick by someone	To remain loyal and supportive, even during challenges	“Even when he lost his job, his friends stuck by him and helped him find a new one.”
To be there for someone	To be available and supportive when someone needs help	“I know I can always count on her; she’s always there for me.”
To go to bat for someone	To advocate for or defend someone	“When she was unfairly accused, her friend went to bat for her and cleared her name.”
To lend a hand	To offer help	“She always lends a hand when I’m struggling with a project.”
To be a pillar of support	To provide significant emotional support	“During his illness, his family was a pillar of support.”
To be a rock	To be a stable and reliable source of support	“She’s been a rock for me since my parents passed away.”
To carry someone	To provide support when someone is unable to manage alone	“He was sick, so I had to carry him through the project.”
To be in someone’s corner	To support someone	“No matter what, I’ll always be in your corner.”
To back someone up	To support someone, especially in an argument or difficult situation	“He always backs me up during meetings.”
To stand by someone	To support someone, especially during a difficult time	“Her friends stood by her when she lost her job.”
To hold someone up	To support someone physically or emotionally	“I was so tired, I needed her to hold me up.”
To prop someone up	To support someone who is struggling	“He needed his friends to prop him up after his defeat.”
To pick someone up	To cheer someone up or support them emotionally	“She always knows how to pick me up when I’m feeling down.”
To be a crutch	To provide support, sometimes excessively	“I don’t want to be a crutch, but I’ll help you if you need it.”
To be a lifeline	To be a crucial source of support or help	“During the crisis, her friends were a lifeline.”
To rally around someone	To come together to support someone	“After the accident, the community rallied around the family.”
To shore someone up	To strengthen or support someone	“Her encouragement shored me up before the presentation.”
To bail someone out	To help someone out of a difficult situation	“My friends had to bail me out when my car broke down.”
To cover for someone	To take someone’s responsibilities when they are unavailable	“She had to cover for me when I was sick.”
To vouch for someone	To affirm someone’s good character or abilities	“I can vouch for her; she’s a very reliable person.”
To go the extra mile	To make an extra effort to help someone	“He always goes the extra mile for his friends.”

Idioms About Closeness and Intimacy

These idioms describe the deep connection and understanding between close friends. They often refer to shared secrets, similar perspectives, and a strong bond.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to closeness and intimacy.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
As thick as thieves	Very close and sharing secrets	“They’re as thick as thieves; they tell each other everything.”
Bosom buddies	Very close friends	“They’ve been bosom buddies since kindergarten.”
To be on the same wavelength	To have the same ideas and opinions	“We’re always on the same wavelength; we understand each other perfectly.”
To be two peas in a pod	To be very similar and close	“They’re two peas in a pod; they even dress alike.”
To be joined at the hip	To be inseparable	“They’re joined at the hip; you never see them apart.”
To be inseparable	Unable to be parted	“They are inseparable; they do everything together.”
To have a connection	To have a strong bond or understanding	“We have a connection that I haven’t felt with anyone else.”
To click with someone	To quickly form a close bond with someone	“We clicked instantly when we first met.”
To get along like a house on fire	To get along very well and quickly	“They get along like a house on fire; they became friends immediately.”
To be kindred spirits	To have similar interests and feelings	“They’re kindred spirits; they share a love for art and music.”
To be soulmates	To have a deep and natural affinity	“They are soulmates; they understand each other perfectly.”
To have a strong rapport	To have a harmonious relationship	“They have a strong rapport; they work together seamlessly.”
To be close-knit	To have strong ties and a sense of unity	“Their group of friends is very close-knit.”
To be on the same page	To have a shared understanding or agreement	“We need to be on the same page before we make a decision.”
To see eye to eye	To agree with someone	“We always see eye to eye on important issues.”
To have a meeting of minds	To come to an agreement or shared understanding	“After a long discussion, we had a meeting of minds.”
To share a bond	To have a strong connection	“They share a bond that has lasted for years.”
To be like family	To be very close and supportive, like relatives	“They’re not just friends; they’re like family.”
To be close at heart	To feel emotionally connected	“Even though they live far apart, they’re close at heart.”
To be birds of a feather	To have similar interests and characteristics	“They’re birds of a feather; they both love to travel.”
To understand each other	To have a deep understanding of each other’s feelings and thoughts	“They understand each other without even speaking.”
To have a soft spot for someone	To have a particular liking or affection for someone	“She has a soft spot for her childhood friend.”
To take to someone	To quickly like someone	“I took to her immediately when we met.”

Idioms About Loyalty and Trust

These idioms emphasize the importance of loyalty and trust in a friendship. They describe friends who are dependable, honest, and always there for each other.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to loyalty and trust.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
A true blue friend	A loyal and dependable friend	“He’s a true blue friend; I can always count on him.”
To be there through thick and thin	To be there during good times and bad times	“We’ve been friends for years, through thick and thin.”
To keep someone’s secrets	To be trusted with confidential information	“I know I can trust her; she always keeps my secrets.”
To be a confidant	Someone to whom you can tell your secrets	“She is my confidant; I tell her everything.”
To be as good as gold	To be very reliable and trustworthy	“He’s as good as gold; he always keeps his promises.”
To have unwavering loyalty	To have steadfast and unchanging loyalty	“His unwavering loyalty to his friends is admirable.”
To be a steadfast friend	To be a reliable and unchanging friend	“She is a steadfast friend, always there when needed.”
To be a fair-weather friend	Someone who is only a friend when things are going well	“I realized he was just a fair-weather friend when he disappeared during my crisis.”
To betray someone’s trust	To break someone’s trust	“He would never betray my trust; he’s too loyal.”
To stab someone in the back	To betray someone’s trust, especially secretly	“I can’t believe he stabbed me in the back by spreading rumors about me.”
To be on the level	To be honest and straightforward	“You can trust him; he’s always on the level.”
To be straight with someone	To be honest and direct with someone	“I appreciate that she’s always straight with me.”
To wear your heart on your sleeve	To openly show your feelings	“She wears her heart on her sleeve; you always know how she feels.”
To keep a confidence	To keep a secret	“You can tell me anything; I keep a confidence.”
To be trustworthy	To be reliable and honest	“She is very trustworthy; I can always count on her.”
To be dependable	To be reliable and able to be counted on	“He is very dependable; he always follows through.”
To be loyal	To be faithful and committed	“She is very loyal to her friends and family.”
To be true to someone	To be faithful and honest to someone	“He is always true to his friends.”
To stand by your word	To keep your promises	“He always stands by his word; he’s a man of his word.”
To be a man of your word	To be someone who keeps their promises	“He’s a man of his word; you can always trust him.”
To be a shoulder to lean on	To provide emotional support	“She’s always a shoulder to lean on when I’m feeling down.”
To have faith in someone	To believe in someone’s abilities or character	“I have faith in you; I know you can do it.”
To give someone the benefit of the doubt	To assume someone is telling the truth or acting in good faith	“I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt this time.”

Idioms About Shared Experiences

These idioms describe friendships that have been built on shared experiences, creating a strong and lasting bond.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to shared experiences.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
To go way back	To have known each other for a long time	“We go way back; we’ve been friends since childhood.”
To have history	To have a shared past	“They have history; they’ve been through a lot together.”
Partners in crime	Friends who often do mischievous things together	“They’re partners in crime; they always get into trouble together.”
To share memories	To have shared experiences that are remembered fondly	“We love to share memories of our college days.”
To relive old times	To remember and talk about past experiences	“We often get together to relive old times.”
To reminisce about the past	To think about and enjoy past experiences	“We spent the evening reminiscing about the past.”
To have seen it all together	To have experienced many things together, both good and bad	“We have seen it all together; our friendship is unbreakable.”
To have shared adventures	To have had exciting and memorable experiences together	“They have shared adventures that they will never forget.”
To have walked the same path	To have had similar life experiences	“They have walked the same path, which is why they understand each other so well.”
To have been through the mill	To have experienced many difficulties together	“They have been through the mill together, which has strengthened their bond.”
To have a shared background	To have a similar upbringing or cultural heritage	“They have a shared background, which makes their connection even stronger.”
To have common ground	To have shared interests or experiences	“They have common ground, which makes it easy for them to connect.”
To have a shared understanding	To have a mutual comprehension of each other’s thoughts and feelings	“They have a shared understanding that comes from years of friendship.”
To create memories together	To make new experiences that will be remembered in the future	“We love to create memories together whenever we get the chance.”
To bond over something	To form a close connection through a shared experience	“They bonded over their love for hiking.”
To share a laugh	To laugh together, often at a shared joke or memory	“We always share a laugh when we get together.”
To have inside jokes	To have jokes that only a certain group of people understand	“They have inside jokes that no one else understands.”
To have a common language	To have a way of communicating that is unique to a certain group of people	“They have a common language that comes from years of friendship.”
To be inseparable since…	To have been very close since a particular event or time	“They’ve been inseparable since they met in college.”
To have grown up together	To have spent their childhood together	“They have grown up together, so they know each other very well.”
To have shared secrets	To have confided in each other	“They have shared secrets that they would never tell anyone else.”
To have been through thick and thin together	To have experienced both good and bad times together	“They have been through thick and thin together, which has made their friendship stronger.”
To have a long-standing friendship	To have been friends for many years	“They have a long-standing friendship that has stood the test of time.”

Idioms About Difficult Times in Friendship

These idioms describe how friends handle challenges, disagreements, and difficult times in their relationship. They often refer to resolving conflicts, offering forgiveness, and moving forward.

The following table provides examples of idioms related to difficult times in friendship.

Idiom	Meaning	Example Sentence
To patch things up	To resolve a disagreement or conflict	“After their argument, they decided to patch things up and remain friends.”
To bury the hatchet	To make peace after a conflict	“They finally buried the hatchet and apologized to each other.”
To go through a rough patch	To experience a difficult period	“Their friendship went through a rough patch when they had a misunderstanding.”
To clear the air	To resolve misunderstandings or tensions	“They needed to clear the air after the argument to move forward.”
To let bygones be bygones	To forgive and forget past grievances	“They decided to let bygones be bygones and start fresh.”
To forgive and forget	To pardon someone and stop being angry about past offenses	“It’s important to forgive and forget to maintain a healthy friendship.”
To kiss and make up	To reconcile after a quarrel	“After a brief argument, they kissed and made up.”
To make amends	To do something to correct a past wrong	“He tried to make amends for his mistake by apologizing sincerely.”
To extend an olive branch	To offer peace or reconciliation	“She extended an olive branch by inviting him to coffee.”
To turn the other cheek	To respond to an injury without retaliating	“He decided to turn the other cheek instead of arguing back.”
To build bridges	To establish connections and improve relationships	“They worked to build bridges after the conflict.”
To mend fences	To restore friendly relations after a disagreement	“He tried to mend fences with his friend after their falling out.”
To smooth things over	To resolve a problem or disagreement	“They tried to smooth things over by talking openly and honestly.”
To swallow your pride	To put aside your ego and apologize or compromise	“He had to swallow his pride to apologize to his friend.”
To meet halfway	To compromise or make concessions	“They decided to meet halfway to resolve their differences.”
To agree to disagree	To accept that you have different opinions and move on	“They agreed to disagree on politics but remained friends.”
To have a falling out	To have a serious argument or disagreement	“They had a falling out over a misunderstanding.”
To drift apart	To gradually become less close	“They drifted apart after going to different colleges.”
To grow apart	To gradually become less close due to changing interests or lifestyles	“They grew apart as their lives took different paths.”
To have a heart-to-heart	To have a serious and intimate conversation	“They had a heart-to-heart to discuss their feelings.”
To talk things out	To discuss problems or disagreements in order to resolve them	“They needed to talk things out to understand each other better.”
To get something off your chest	To express something that has been bothering you	“He needed to get it off his chest to feel better.”
To work through something	To resolve a problem or difficulty	“They had to work through their issues to save their friendship.”

Usage Rules for Friendship Idioms

Using idioms correctly requires understanding their specific meanings and contexts. Here are some usage rules to keep in mind when using friendship idioms:

1. Context Matters: Idioms are often informal and should be used appropriately in different contexts. Avoid using them in formal writing or professional settings unless you are sure they are appropriate.

2. Literal vs. Figurative: Remember that idioms have a figurative meaning that is different from the literal meaning of the words. Always use the idiom in its intended figurative sense.

3. Correct Form: Some idioms have a fixed form and cannot be changed. For example, you cannot say “as fat as thieves” instead of “as thick as thieves.”

4. Verb Tense: Pay attention to verb tense when using idioms. Make sure the verb tense matches the context of the sentence. For example, “I will always have your back” (future tense) vs. “I had your back yesterday” (past tense).

5. Subject-Verb Agreement: Ensure that the subject and verb agree in number when using idioms. For example, “They are two peas in a pod” (plural) vs. “He is a true blue friend” (singular).

6. Cultural Sensitivity: Be mindful of cultural differences when using idioms. Some idioms may not be understood or may be offensive in certain cultures.

Common Mistakes with Friendship Idioms

Using idioms incorrectly can lead to misunderstandings or sound awkward. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Literal Interpretation: Interpreting idioms literally instead of figuratively.

Incorrect: “They are as thick as thieves, so they must be criminals.”
Correct: “They are as thick as thieves, meaning they are very close and share secrets.”

2. Incorrect Word Choice: Using the wrong words in an idiom.

Incorrect: “He is a true blue buddy.”
Correct: “He is a true blue friend.”

3. Wrong Tense: Using the incorrect verb tense.

Incorrect: “I will had your back.”
Correct: “I will have your back.”

4. Misunderstanding the Meaning: Using an idiom in the wrong context due to misunderstanding its meaning.

Incorrect: “He’s a fair-weather friend because he always brings me gifts.” (Misunderstanding fair-weather friend to mean someone who is generous)
Correct: “He’s a fair-weather friend because he’s only around when things are going well.”

5. Overusing Idioms: Using too many idioms in a short span, which can make your speech sound unnatural.

Incorrect: “We go way back, and we’re as thick as thieves. We’re always there through thick and thin, you know?”
Correct: “We’ve been friends for years and have always supported each other.”

Practice Exercises

Test your understanding of friendship idioms with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the list below.

Idiom List:

Have someone’s back
As thick as thieves
A true blue friend
Through thick and thin
Patch things up

Exercise 1:

After their argument, they decided to __________ and remain friends.

Answer: patch things up

Exercise 2:

He is __________; I can always count on him.

Answer: a true blue friend

Exercise 3:

Don’t worry, I will __________ in the meeting if anyone disagrees with your proposal.

Answer: have someone’s back

Exercise 4:

They are __________, they tell each other everything.

Answer: as thick as thieves

Exercise 5:

We’ve been friends for years, __________.

Answer: through thick and thin

More Practice: Create your own sentences using the idioms learned in this article. Share them with a friend or language partner to get feedback.

Advanced Topics in Friendship Idioms

For those looking to deepen their understanding, here are some advanced topics related to friendship idioms:

1. Regional Variations: Explore how friendship idioms may vary in different English-speaking regions (e.g., American English vs. British English).

2. Historical Origins: Research the historical origins of certain friendship idioms to understand their cultural significance.

3. Idioms in Literature: Analyze how authors use friendship idioms in literature to convey character relationships and themes.

4. Idioms in Pop Culture: Examine how friendship idioms are used in movies, TV shows, and music to reflect contemporary social dynamics.

5. Creating Your Own Idioms: As you become more fluent, experiment with creating your own idioms to describe unique aspects of friendship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it important to learn idioms about friendship?

Learning idioms about friendship enhances your ability to express nuanced feelings and understand cultural contexts, making your communication more effective and relatable.

How can I remember these idioms more easily?

Use the idioms in everyday conversations, create flashcards, and practice with friends. Contextual learning and repetition are key to memorization.

Are friendship idioms universal across all cultures?

No, friendship idioms are often culturally specific. What is common in one culture may not exist or have the same meaning in another.

Can I use friendship idioms in formal writing?

It depends on the context. Generally, idioms are best suited for informal communication.

In formal writing, it’s usually better to use more direct and literal language.

What should I do if I’m not sure about the meaning of an idiom?

Look it up in a reliable dictionary or idiom dictionary. You can also ask a native English speaker for clarification.

Conclusion

Mastering idioms related to friendship can significantly enhance your English language skills and deepen your understanding of interpersonal relationships. By understanding the definitions, structures, and usage rules of these idioms, you can communicate more effectively and connect with others on a more meaningful level.

Remember to practice regularly and be mindful of context to avoid common mistakes. With dedication and effort, you can confidently use friendship idioms to enrich your conversations and express the true essence of friendship.

Idioms for Friends: Expressing Friendship in English

Table of Contents

Definition of Idioms for Friends

Structural Breakdown of Friendship Idioms

Types and Categories of Friendship Idioms