Friendship is a universal theme, and in English, we often use colorful idioms to express the complexities and joys of our relationships with friends. These idioms can add depth and emotion to our conversations, helping us convey feelings about friendship in a way that plain words often cannot. In this post, we’ll explore 20 idioms that encapsulate various aspects of friendship, each accompanied by a brief explanation and an example to help you understand and use these expressions effectively.
English Idioms About Friendship
1. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close friends.
Example: They’re always together, thick as thieves.
2. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around when things are good.
Example: He’s just a fair-weather friend.
3. Friends in high places
Meaning: Having friends in powerful positions.
Example: She got the job through friends in high places.
4. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who listens to your problems.
Example: She was always a shoulder to cry on.
5. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar.
Example: My best friend and I are two peas in a pod.
6. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To make peace with someone.
Example: Let’s bury the hatchet and move on.
7. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: Similar people tend to stick together.
Example: They’re all artists, birds of a feather.
8. A friend in need is a friend indeed
Meaning: True friends help in difficult times.
Example: He helped me when I was sick—a friend in need is a friend indeed.
9. Old friends and old wine are best
Meaning: The value of old friendships and things that improve with age.
Example: I prefer spending time with old friends, as they and old wine are best.
10. To hit it off
Meaning: Quickly become good friends.
Example: We hit it off right away.
11. Like two ships passing in the night
Meaning: Briefly meeting and then parting ways.
Example: We’re like two ships passing in the night, rarely meeting.
12. Joined at the hip
Meaning: Very close friends who spend a lot of time together.
Example: They’re always together, joined at the hip.
13. Through thick and thin
Meaning: In all circumstances, no matter how difficult.
Example: We’ve been friends through thick and thin.
14. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around during good times.
Example: He’s just a fair-weather friend.
15. Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: To not become too close to someone.
Example: I keep him at arm’s length.
16. On the same wavelength
Meaning: To understand each other very well.
Example: We’re on the same wavelength.
17. Build bridges
Meaning: Improve relationships between people.
Example: We’re trying to build bridges after our argument.
18. Cross the bridge when you come to it
Meaning: Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary.
Example: We’ll cross that bridge if our disagreement resurfaces.
19. Burn bridges
Meaning: Destroy relationships carelessly.
Example: Quitting like that may burn bridges.
20. Mend fences
Meaning: Repair a damaged relationship.
Example: We need to mend fences after our last fight.
