Idioms are lively, figurative expressions that bring warmth and color to conversations about relationships, especially the cherished bonds of friendship. In this extensive listicle, we’ll explore 55 idioms related to friendship, unpacking their meanings and showing how they can add depth and charm to discussions about camaraderie, loyalty, and shared moments. Whether you’re celebrating a lifelong friend or navigating the ups and downs of a close connection, these idioms will help you express the nuances of friendship with creativity and heart. Let’s dive into this vibrant collection, break down each idiom, and discover how they can enrich your conversations about friendship.
What is an Idiom for Friendship?
Idioms for friendship are metaphorical phrases that use figurative language to describe the dynamics, emotions, and experiences of being friends, from trust and support to occasional misunderstandings. These idioms make conversations about friendship more engaging, relatable, and expressive, capturing the essence of human connection in vivid ways. Below, we’ll explore each idiom, provide its meaning, and illustrate its use with a long sentence that reflects its role in the context of friendship.
Idioms for Friendship
1. Thick as Thieves
Meaning: Describes a very close friendship where two people share secrets and are extremely loyal to each other.
In a Sentence: Ever since they met in elementary school, Sarah and Emma have been thick as thieves, always confiding in each other and planning their adventures together without ever letting anyone come between them.
2. A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
Meaning: A true friend is one who helps you when you’re in trouble or facing difficulties.
In a Sentence: When Tom lost his job and was struggling to pay rent, his childhood friend Michael stepped in with financial support and emotional encouragement, proving that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
3. Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Meaning: Friends with similar interests, values, or personalities tend to form close bonds.
In a Sentence: It’s no surprise that Lisa and Rachel became best friends, as their shared love for hiking, indie music, and vegan cooking shows that birds of a feather truly flock together.
4. Joined at the Hip
Meaning: Describes two friends who are inseparable and always together.
In a Sentence: Ever since they started working at the same company, Alex and Jamie have been joined at the hip, spending every lunch break, weekend, and even vacation exploring new places side by side.
5. Through Thick and Thin
Meaning: Refers to a friendship that endures challenges, hardships, and good times alike.
In a Sentence: Despite facing financial struggles, personal losses, and countless disagreements, Maria and Sophia have remained loyal friends through thick and thin, always supporting each other no matter the circumstances.
6. Two Peas in a Pod
Meaning: Describes two friends who are very similar and get along exceptionally well.
In a Sentence: Watching Clara and Zoe finish each other’s sentences and laugh at the same quirky jokes, it’s clear they’re two peas in a pod, perfectly in sync in every way.
7. Hit It Off
Meaning: To quickly form a strong, positive connection with someone, often at the start of a friendship.
In a Sentence: From the moment they met at the book club, Daniel and Olivia hit it off, spending hours discussing their favorite novels and discovering their shared passion for mystery thrillers.
8. In the Same Boat
Meaning: Friends who are experiencing the same situation or challenges, fostering camaraderie.
In a Sentence: As they both navigated the stress of college applications and part-time jobs, Emma and Lucas found comfort in knowing they were in the same boat, supporting each other through late-night study sessions.
9. Go Way Back
Meaning: Refers to friends who have known each other for a long time, often since childhood.
In a Sentence: Even though they now live in different cities, Jake and Ryan go way back to their elementary school days, when they used to spend summers building treehouses and dreaming of grand adventures.
10. Like Family
Meaning: Describes a friendship so close that the friends feel like siblings or relatives.
In a Sentence: After years of sharing holidays, secrets, and countless memories, Mia considers her best friend Ethan like family, trusting him with her deepest fears and celebrating every milestone together.
11. Fair-Weather Friend
Meaning: A friend who is only supportive or present during good times but disappears during difficulties.
In a Sentence: When Laura was thriving in her career, her colleague Sophie was always around, but Sophie proved to be a fair-weather friend, vanishing when Laura needed support during a tough personal crisis.
12. Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: A friend who provides emotional support and comfort during tough times.
In a Sentence: After her breakup, Jessica found a shoulder to cry on in her friend Mark, who listened patiently and offered comforting words as she poured out her heartache late into the night.
13. Keep Someone in the Loop
Meaning: To regularly update a friend with information to maintain closeness and trust.
In a Sentence: Even though they were thousands of miles apart, Chloe made sure to keep her friend Ava in the loop, sending detailed messages about her new job and life abroad to stay connected.
14. Back Someone Up
Meaning: To support or defend a friend in a challenging situation.
In a Sentence: When a coworker unfairly criticized Sam’s project, his friend Lily backed him up, confidently explaining the hard work and creativity he had put into it to set the record straight.
15. Get Along Like a House on Fire
Meaning: To have an immediate, strong, and enthusiastic connection with a friend.
In a Sentence: From their first coffee meetup, Grace and Hannah got along like a house on fire, laughing uncontrollably and planning their next outing before the day was even over.
16. Stand By Someone
Meaning: To remain loyal and supportive to a friend, especially during tough times.
In a Sentence: Even when the entire team doubted his leadership, his best friend Nathan stood by him, offering encouragement and helping him regain confidence to lead the project to success.
17. Have Someone’s Back
Meaning: To be ready to support or protect a friend in any situation.
In a Sentence: Knowing that her friend Claire always had her back, Emily felt confident confronting the gossip at work, secure in the knowledge that Claire would defend her if needed.
18. See Eye to Eye
Meaning: To agree with a friend on opinions, values, or decisions.
In a Sentence: While they occasionally disagreed on small things, Mia and Jacob saw eye to eye on the importance of honesty and loyalty, which strengthened their friendship over the years.
19. A Penny for Your Thoughts
Meaning: To ask a friend what they’re thinking or feeling, showing care and interest.
In a Sentence: Noticing her friend’s quiet mood during their hike, Sophie gently said, “A penny for your thoughts,” encouraging Liam to open up about the stress he’d been feeling at work.
20. All Ears
Meaning: To listen attentively and eagerly to a friend’s words or concerns.
In a Sentence: When Rachel started sharing her worries about moving to a new city, her friend Ben was all ears, giving her his full attention and offering thoughtful advice to ease her fears.
21. Ride or Die
Meaning: A fiercely loyal friend who will stick with you through any challenge or danger.
In a Sentence: Through every heartbreak, career change, and wild adventure, Tara knew her best friend Zoe was her ride or die, always ready to face life’s ups and downs together.
22. On the Same Wavelength
Meaning: Describes friends who think alike and understand each other effortlessly.
In a Sentence: Planning their group trip was a breeze because Sarah and Leo were on the same wavelength, instantly agreeing on destinations and activities without any debate.
23. Give Someone the Benefit of the Doubt
Meaning: To trust a friend’s intentions despite uncertainty or a mistake.
In a Sentence: When Alex forgot their lunch plans, Julia gave him the benefit of the doubt, knowing his hectic schedule and trusting that he hadn’t meant to let her down.
24. Burn Bridges
Meaning: To ruin a friendship irreparably through actions or words.
In a Sentence: By spreading rumors about her friend’s personal life, Emma burned bridges with Sophia, destroying years of trust and leaving their friendship in tatters.
25. Bury the Hatchet
Meaning: To resolve a conflict and restore a friendship after a disagreement.
In a Sentence: After months of not speaking due to a misunderstanding, Jack and Oliver decided to bury the hatchet, meeting for coffee to apologize and rebuild their friendship.
26. Keep Someone at Arm’s Length
Meaning: To maintain distance in a friendship to avoid getting too close or involved.
In a Sentence: Although they worked together closely, Lisa kept her colleague Tom at arm’s length, preferring to maintain a professional boundary rather than a deep personal friendship.
27. Lend a Helping Hand
Meaning: To offer assistance or support to a friend in need.
In a Sentence: When Mia was overwhelmed with moving to a new apartment, her friend Ethan lent a helping hand, spending the entire weekend packing boxes and carrying furniture with her.
28. Break the Ice
Meaning: To start a conversation or ease tension to build a friendship.
In a Sentence: At the awkward company retreat, Sarah broke the ice with a funny story about her first day, instantly putting her new colleague James at ease and sparking a friendship.
29. Let Bygones Be Bygones
Meaning: To forgive past conflicts and move forward in a friendship.
In a Sentence: After their heated argument over a group project, Clara and Zoe agreed to let bygones be bygones, focusing on their shared goals and rebuilding their trust.
30. Build Bridges
Meaning: To create or strengthen connections in a friendship, often after a divide.
In a Sentence: Recognizing their growing distance, Mark made an effort to build bridges with his old friend Rachel by inviting her to a concert and reminiscing about their shared memories.
31. Cross Paths
Meaning: To meet a friend by chance, often leading to a renewed connection.
In a Sentence: Years after losing touch, Emma and Lucas crossed paths at a local café, sparking a heartfelt conversation that rekindled their friendship and led to regular meetups.
32. In Someone’s Corner
Meaning: To be a loyal supporter of a friend, especially during challenges.
In a Sentence: When Sophia faced criticism for her bold career change, her friend Michael was firmly in her corner, cheering her on and defending her decision to pursue her dreams.
33. Take Someone Under Your Wing
Meaning: To mentor or guide a new friend, helping them navigate challenges.
In a Sentence: Seeing how nervous the new intern was, Olivia took her under her wing, sharing tips and encouraging her to shine during their team’s high-pressure project.
34. Cut Someone Some Slack
Meaning: To be lenient or forgiving with a friend’s mistakes or shortcomings.
In a Sentence: When Jake forgot their movie plans, Sarah cut him some slack, understanding that his demanding job had left him overwhelmed and distracted lately.
35. Fall Out
Meaning: To have a serious disagreement that damages or ends a friendship.
In a Sentence: After a heated argument over a business deal, Tom and Nathan fell out, refusing to speak for months and leaving their once-close friendship in ruins.
36. Patch Things Up
Meaning: To repair a friendship after a conflict or misunderstanding.
In a Sentence: Realizing how much they missed each other, Lily and Grace patched things up over a long dinner, apologizing for their fight and promising to communicate better.
37. Be There for Someone
Meaning: To offer consistent emotional or practical support to a friend.
In a Sentence: When Ethan’s family faced a health crisis, his friend Ava was there for him, checking in daily and bringing meals to ensure he felt supported through the ordeal.
38. Click with Someone
Meaning: To form an immediate and natural connection with a new friend.
In a Sentence: At the photography workshop, Rachel clicked with Mia instantly, bonding over their love for vintage cameras and spending the day capturing stunning shots together.
39. Drift Apart
Meaning: To gradually lose closeness in a friendship due to time or circumstances.
In a Sentence: As their lives took different paths with new jobs and families, Sophie and Clara drifted apart, though they still cherished the memories of their college friendship.
40. Iron Sharpens Iron
Meaning: Friends who challenge and inspire each other to grow and improve.
In a Sentence: Through their late-night debates and shared ambitions, Leo and Hannah pushed each other to excel, proving that iron sharpens iron in their dynamic friendship.
41. Know Someone Like the Back of Your Hand
Meaning: To understand a friend extremely well, including their habits and preferences.
In a Sentence: After years of living together and sharing every detail of their lives, Emma knew Sarah like the back of her hand, predicting her reactions to every situation with uncanny accuracy.
42. Hit a Rough Patch
Meaning: To experience a difficult period in a friendship due to conflicts or challenges.
In a Sentence: After a misunderstanding about a group trip, Alex and Jamie hit a rough patch, but their honest conversation helped them rebuild trust and strengthen their bond.
43. Make Amends
Meaning: To take action to repair a friendship after causing harm or offense.
In a Sentence: Feeling guilty for missing her friend’s important event, Zoe made amends by planning a special day out for Lily, complete with her favorite activities and heartfelt apologies.
44. A Meeting of Minds
Meaning: A friendship based on shared ideas, intellect, or creative synergy.
In a Sentence: Their collaboration on the art project was a true meeting of minds, as Clara and Ethan combined their unique perspectives to create something extraordinary together.
45. Hold a Grudge
Meaning: To maintain resentment toward a friend, hindering the friendship.
In a Sentence: Even though Mark apologized for his mistake, Rachel held a grudge, letting her lingering anger prevent them from fully restoring their once-close friendship.
46. Give Someone a Leg Up
Meaning: To help a friend succeed or advance, often by providing opportunities.
In a Sentence: When Ava noticed her friend struggling with job applications, she gave Lucas a leg up by recommending him to her manager, helping him land his first big break.
47. Pull Your Weight
Meaning: To contribute fairly to a friendship or shared responsibility.
In a Sentence: In their group project, Sophia made sure to pull her weight, working late nights alongside her friend Mia to ensure their presentation was polished and professional.
48. Put in a Good Word
Meaning: To speak positively about a friend to help them gain an opportunity.
In a Sentence: Knowing how talented her friend was, Emily put in a good word with the gallery owner, helping Ethan secure a spot to showcase his artwork.
49. Stick Up for Someone
Meaning: To defend a friend against criticism or unfair treatment.
In a Sentence: When a classmate mocked Lisa’s presentation, her friend Tom stuck up for her, pointing out the creativity and effort she had put into her work.
50. Weather the Storm
Meaning: To endure challenges or difficulties in a friendship and come out stronger.
In a Sentence: Despite facing rumors and misunderstandings that tested their trust, Grace and Hannah weathered the storm, emerging with a deeper appreciation for their friendship.
51. Bring Out the Best in Someone
Meaning: To inspire a friend to show their finest qualities or achieve their potential.
In a Sentence: Through her encouragement and belief in his abilities, Zoe brought out the best in Nathan, motivating him to pursue his dream of starting a small business.
52. Clear the Air
Meaning: To resolve tension or misunderstandings in a friendship through open discussion.
In a Sentence: After weeks of awkward silence, Jack and Lily cleared the air over coffee, addressing their disagreement and reaffirming their commitment to their friendship.
53. Get Off on the Right Foot
Meaning: To start a friendship positively, creating a strong foundation.
In a Sentence: By bonding over their shared love for sci-fi movies at the convention, Rachel and Leo got off on the right foot, quickly becoming inseparable friends.
54. Go the Extra Mile
Meaning: To make an exceptional effort to support or care for a friend.
In a Sentence: When Mia was sick, her friend Ethan went the extra mile, not only bringing her soup but also spending the day keeping her company and cheering her up.
55. Mend Fences
Meaning: To repair a damaged friendship and restore harmony.
In a Sentence: After their fallout over a misunderstanding, Clara and Zoe mended fences by having an honest conversation, apologizing, and promising to be more open with each other.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Thick as Thieves
What does the idiom “Thick as thieves” mean?
a) To be distant acquaintances
b) To share a very close and loyal friendship
c) To compete with each other
d) To avoid contact
Quiz 2: A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
What is the meaning of “A friend in need is a friend indeed”?
a) A friend who borrows money
b) A true friend helps in times of trouble
c) A friend who is always busy
d) A friend who avoids challenges
Quiz 3: Joined at the Hip
When someone says, “Joined at the hip,” what are they describing?
a) Friends who are inseparable
b) Friends who disagree often
c) Friends who live far apart
d) Friends who rarely talk
Quiz 4: Through Thick and Thin
What does the idiom “Through thick and thin” suggest?
a) A friendship that fades quickly
b) A friendship that endures all challenges
c) A friendship based on competition
d) A friendship that is superficial
Quiz 5: Fair-Weather Friend
What situation is described by the idiom “Fair-weather friend”?
a) A friend who is loyal in all situations
b) A friend who is only present during good times
c) A friend who is always critical
d) A friend who is overly generous
Quiz 6: Shoulder to Cry On
If someone is a “shoulder to cry on,” what does it mean?
a) They are emotionally distant
b) They provide comfort during tough times
c) They are always cheerful
d) They avoid serious conversations
Quiz 7: Hit It Off
What does the expression “Hit it off” imply?
a) To argue immediately
b) To form a strong connection quickly
c) To avoid meeting someone
d) To end a friendship
Quiz 8: Have Someone’s Back
When is it appropriate to say, “Have someone’s back”?
a) When you’re ready to support or protect a friend
b) When you’re ignoring a friend
c) When you’re competing with a friend
d) When you’re borrowing from a friend
Quiz 9: Ride or Die
What is the meaning of “Ride or die”?
a) A friend who avoids risks
b) A fiercely loyal friend who sticks by you
c) A friend who is unreliable
d) A friend who is temporary
Quiz 10: Bury the Hatchet
When someone says, “Bury the hatchet,” what are they encouraging?
a) Starting a new conflict
b) Resolving a disagreement and restoring friendship
c) Ignoring a problem
d) Ending a friendship
Answers:
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b
- b
- b
- a
- b
- b
Conclusion
Idioms for friendship are like verbal hugs, capturing the joy, loyalty, and occasional challenges of human connection with vivid imagery and warmth. By sprinkling these 55 expressions into your conversations, you can celebrate the bonds that make life richer, whether you’re praising a steadfast friend, mending a misunderstanding, or reminiscing about shared adventures. So, the next time you’re reflecting on the beauty of friendship, let these idioms add a touch of creativity and heart to your words.