Idioms are powerful tools that help us describe our relationships, feelings, and experiences in creative ways—and when it comes to parents, there are plenty of expressions that capture the ups, downs, and in-betweens of family life.
In this article, we’ll explore idioms about parents—some funny, some wise, and some deeply meaningful. These phrases can help you better express how you see your parents or how parenting feels, whether you’re a child, teen, or adult.
What is an Idiom About Parents?
An idiom about parents is a figurative phrase that helps describe parental roles, behaviors, or dynamics in families. These idioms go beyond literal meanings and often reflect cultural attitudes about motherhood, fatherhood, and family bonds.
Whether you’re writing, speaking, or just thinking about family life, idioms can help you convey those thoughts in a richer, more expressive way.
Idioms About Parents
1. Like father, like son
Meaning: Children often resemble or behave like their parents, especially their fathers.
In a Sentence: He started fixing bikes just like his dad used to—proving once again, like father, like son.
2. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Meaning: A child is very similar to their parent in behavior or appearance.
In a Sentence: She’s always correcting everyone’s grammar, just like her mom; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
3. Chip off the old block
Meaning: A child closely resembles one of their parents in personality or looks.
In a Sentence: With that stubborn attitude and quick wit, he’s a chip off the old block for sure.
4. Mother hen
Meaning: Someone who is very protective or caring, especially like a mother.
In a Sentence: She fusses over her friends like a mother hen, always making sure everyone’s okay.
5. Father figure
Meaning: A man who provides guidance and support like a father, even if he isn’t a biological dad.
In a Sentence: Coach Thompson became a father figure to many of the boys who didn’t have dads at home.
6. Helicopter parent
Meaning: A parent who is overly involved in their child’s life, often to a controlling degree.
In a Sentence: His mom is a total helicopter parent—she even emails his college professors.
7. Tiger mom
Meaning: A strict or demanding mother who pushes her children to succeed.
In a Sentence: With all those piano lessons and math drills, she’s definitely a tiger mom.
8. To wear the pants in the family
Meaning: To be the one who holds the power or makes the decisions in a household.
In a Sentence: Even though dad’s loud, it’s mom who really wears the pants in the family.
9. It runs in the family
Meaning: A trait or behavior that is common among family members.
In a Sentence: Their kindness and patience run in the family—every single one of them is like that.
10. Spitting image
Meaning: Someone who looks exactly like another person, often a parent.
In a Sentence: When he smiled, he was the spitting image of his father from twenty years ago.
11. Tough love
Meaning: Treating someone harshly or strictly for their long-term benefit.
In a Sentence: My dad showed tough love when he made me get a job instead of giving me money.
12. Mom knows best
Meaning: A saying that suggests mothers usually give wise advice.
In a Sentence: I didn’t believe her at first, but of course, mom knows best—I should’ve listened.
13. Silver spoon in their mouth
Meaning: Born into a wealthy or privileged family.
In a Sentence: He never had to worry about money; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.
14. Empty nest
Meaning: The home of parents after their children have grown up and moved out.
In a Sentence: After their youngest left for college, they felt the weight of the empty nest.
15. Breadwinner
Meaning: The person who earns the main income in a family.
In a Sentence: After dad retired, mom became the breadwinner by running her own bakery.
16. Mama’s boy
Meaning: A man who is very attached to or influenced by his mother.
In a Sentence: He still calls his mom five times a day—he’s a total mama’s boy.
17. Parental guidance
Meaning: A suggestion that parents should supervise or provide input, especially for content or choices.
In a Sentence: That movie definitely needs parental guidance—it’s not for little kids.
18. The parent trap
Meaning: A tricky or manipulative situation involving parents, or sometimes used humorously for parenting challenges.
In a Sentence: When both parents tried to convince her to apply to their alma maters, it felt like a parent trap.
19. Honor thy father and mother
Meaning: A traditional value encouraging children to show respect and obedience to parents.
In a Sentence: No matter how old I get, I always try to honor my father and mother in how I live.
20. To have your father’s/mother’s eyes
Meaning: To look like a parent, especially around the eyes or expression.
In a Sentence: Everyone says I have my mother’s eyes—they’re soft, brown, and always watching.
21. Family ties
Meaning: Strong bonds or connections between family members.
In a Sentence: Despite the distance, our family ties have kept us close all these years.
22. Like pulling teeth
Meaning: Very difficult to get someone to do something, especially kids and chores.
In a Sentence: Getting my teenager to clean her room is like pulling teeth.
23. Baby of the family
Meaning: The youngest child in a family, often treated with extra care or affection.
In a Sentence: Even though he’s thirty, he’s still the baby of the family in everyone’s eyes.
24. Runs a tight ship
Meaning: To manage things in an orderly and disciplined way, often used for parents.
In a Sentence: My mom runs a tight ship—no screen time before chores are done.
25. Home is where the heart is
Meaning: A place feels like home when your loved ones are there.
In a Sentence: No matter how far I travel, home is where the heart is—where mom and dad are.
26. Raise the roof
Meaning: To make a lot of noise or cause a commotion, often in celebration or frustration.
In a Sentence: When dad found out I broke the window, he raised the roof with his yelling.
27. Put your foot down
Meaning: To take a firm stand or make a final decision, especially as a parent.
In a Sentence: After days of begging for a puppy, mom finally put her foot down and said no.
28. Strict as a sergeant
Meaning: Very firm and disciplined, like a military officer—often used to describe parenting style.
In a Sentence: My dad’s bedtime rules were strict as a sergeant, and there was no negotiation.
29. Spoil someone rotten
Meaning: To give someone too much attention or gifts, often used for indulgent parents.
In a Sentence: Grandma spoiled me rotten every time I visited with cookies, gifts, and endless hugs.
30. A father to the fatherless
Meaning: Someone who acts as a parent or protector for those without one.
In a Sentence: He mentored neighborhood kids and became a father to the fatherless.
31. Follow in someone’s footsteps
Meaning: To pursue a similar path or career as a parent.
In a Sentence: I’m studying medicine to follow in my mother’s footsteps—she’s my biggest inspiration.
32. Take after someone
Meaning: To resemble a parent in behavior, personality, or appearance.
In a Sentence: She definitely takes after her dad with that dry sense of humor and love for jazz.
33. Leave the nest
Meaning: To move out of your parents’ home and become independent.
In a Sentence: When I left the nest for college, it felt like both freedom and homesickness at once.
34. Overprotective parent
Meaning: A parent who guards their child too much and doesn’t allow enough independence.
In a Sentence: I couldn’t go to the school dance because of my overprotective parent—thanks, Dad.
35. Put food on the table
Meaning: To earn money to support a family.
In a Sentence: My mom worked two jobs to put food on the table and keep the lights on.
36. Empty nester
Meaning: A parent whose children have all moved out.
In a Sentence: After we all moved out, my parents became empty nesters and started traveling together.
37. Parental instincts
Meaning: Natural feelings or reactions parents have to protect and care for their children.
In a Sentence: She had never held a baby before, but her parental instincts kicked in instantly.
38. Like herding cats
Meaning: Extremely difficult to control or manage, often used for parenting multiple children.
In a Sentence: Trying to get all three kids dressed and in the car was like herding cats.
39. Out of the nest
Meaning: A child has left their parents’ care or home.
In a Sentence: Once he was out of the nest, he started calling his mom every day for recipes.
40. Bundle of joy
Meaning: A baby or child who brings happiness.
In a Sentence: Their newborn daughter was a bundle of joy wrapped in a tiny pink blanket.
41. Proud as a peacock
Meaning: Extremely proud, often used for parents bragging about their children.
In a Sentence: Dad was proud as a peacock when I got into law school—he told the whole neighborhood.
42. Spare the rod, spoil the child
Meaning: A traditional belief that discipline is necessary for raising good children.
In a Sentence: My grandparents believed in strict rules, always saying, “Spare the rod, spoil the child.”
43. Mama bear
Meaning: A fiercely protective mother.
In a Sentence: When someone insulted her son, she turned into a full-on mama bear.
44. Parent trap
Meaning: A tricky situation where kids try to manipulate their parents or vice versa.
In a Sentence: They tried to play us against each other—a classic parent trap.
45. A family man
Meaning: A man who is devoted to his family.
In a Sentence: He could’ve stayed late at work, but he’s a family man who always makes it home for dinner.
46. Hand-me-downs
Meaning: Clothes or items passed from one sibling or family member to another.
In a Sentence: Growing up with five siblings meant I lived in hand-me-downs for years.
47. A parent’s work is never done
Meaning: Parenting is a continuous, never-ending job.
In a Sentence: Even after bedtime, mom was still folding laundry and packing lunches—a parent’s work is never done.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1: Like father, like son
What does the idiom “Like father, like son” mean?
a) They dress the same way
b) The son copies his dad’s homework
c) A child behaves or looks like the father
d) Both are tall
Quiz 2: Chip off the old block
What is the meaning of “Chip off the old block”?
a) A small part of a wooden toy
b) A child who closely resembles their parent
c) A broken stone
d) A stubborn person
Quiz 3: Mama bear
What does “Mama bear” imply about a mother?
a) She likes animals
b) She’s shy and cuddly
c) She is fiercely protective
d) She roars at people
Quiz 4: Helicopter parent
What is a “Helicopter parent”?
a) A parent who works in aviation
b) A parent who constantly hovers and controls
c) A playful and funny parent
d) A teacher who acts like a parent
Quiz 5: Leave the nest
What does “Leave the nest” mean?
a) To climb a tree
b) To go on a vacation
c) To move out of your parents’ home
d) To join a bird-watching club
Quiz 6: Bundle of joy
What does the idiom “Bundle of joy” refer to?
a) A soft toy
b) A fun gift
c) A baby who brings happiness
d) A big sandwich
Quiz 7: Wear the pants in the family
If someone “wears the pants in the family,” what does that mean?
a) They dress up formally
b) They do the laundry
c) They make the important decisions
d) They are always on time
Quiz 8: Like herding cats
What does “Like herding cats” describe?
a) Taking pets to the vet
b) Managing a group that’s hard to control
c) Herding animals on a farm
d) Playing a video game
Quiz 9: Tough love
What is the meaning of “Tough love”?
a) Soft emotions
b) Kindness without rules
c) Harsh actions done out of care
d) A romantic movie
Quiz 10: A parent’s work is never done
When someone says “A parent’s work is never done,” what do they mean?
a) Parents don’t have jobs
b) Parenting involves ongoing responsibilities
c) Parents don’t like chores
d) It refers to lazy parents
Answers:
- c
- b
- c
- b
- c
- c
- c
- b
- c
- b
Conclusion
Idioms about parents capture the emotions, challenges, and love that come with raising kids and being part of a family. From “like father, like son” to “a parent’s work is never done,” these expressions help paint a vivid picture of what parenting really feels like—messy, wonderful, and full of meaning.
Whether you’re describing your own mom and dad or reflecting on your role as a parent, these idioms offer a creative, relatable way to say it all.