Family Idioms and What They Mean
Family shapes who we are, so it’s no surprise that everyday language is full of expressions inspired by parents, siblings, and shared traits. Family idioms use these relationships to describe personalities, behaviors, and long-standing connections in a vivid and relatable way.
Like father, like son
A son behaves or looks very similar to his father.
He loves fixing cars—like father, like son.
When he cracked the same jokes as his dad, everyone said, “like father, like son.”
Chip off the old block
Someone who closely resembles or acts like one of their parents, usually the father.
With his calm personality, he’s a chip off the old block.
She’s a chip off the old block when it comes to creativity.
Run in the family
A characteristic or trait shared by many family members.
Musical talent seems to run in the family.
Their sense of humor definitely runs in the family.
Black sheep
A family member who is considered different or a disappointment.
He felt like the black sheep because he chose a different career path.
She’s the black sheep of the family, but she embraces it proudly.
Mother hen
A person who is very protective or worries a lot about others.
She acted like a mother hen, making sure everyone wore a jacket.
He’s the mother hen of the group, always checking if everyone got home safely.
Skeleton in the closet
A hidden secret that could cause embarrassment if revealed.
Every family has at least one skeleton in the closet.
The politician denied having any skeletons in the closet.
Family ties
Strong connections, loyalty, or bonds within a family.
Despite living far apart, their family ties remain strong.
She returned home because family ties mattered more than anything else.
