Friendship is one of the most beautiful and universal relationships in life. In English, idioms are a fun and colorful way to express the ups, downs, and shades of friendship. But what exactly are idioms?
Idioms are special phrases whose meanings are different from the literal meanings of the words. For example, when someone says “a shoulder to cry on,” they don’t mean a real shoulder, but rather a supportive friend.
Learning idioms for friends is useful because they help you describe relationships more naturally, express emotions with depth, and sound like a native speaker. These idioms add warmth to your conversations
whether you’re talking about a lifelong bond, a trusted companion, or the funny side of friendship. If you’re learning English or improving your vocabulary, mastering idioms about friendship can make your language more expressive, friendly, and real.
Did You Know?
Many idioms about friendship come from old traditions. For example, the phrase “a friend in need is a friend indeed” is centuries old and was first used in ancient Greece. People used it to highlight the importance of loyalty during tough times. Friendship idioms often show how universal and timeless the value of true friends really is!
Idioms for Friends
Below are 30+ friendship idioms, divided into groups so you can learn them easily. Each idiom comes with meaning, example, alternatives, and usage notes.
Idioms for Close and Loyal Friends
A Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Someone who listens and supports you when you’re sad.
Example: “After her breakup, Maria was grateful to have Anna as a shoulder to cry on.”
Alternative: “Lean on someone.”
Note: Common in daily conversations and emotional situations.
Thick as Thieves
Meaning: Very close friends who share secrets.
Example: “Since childhood, Jack and Sam have been thick as thieves.”
Alternative: “Bosom buddies.”
Note: Informal and friendly, used to describe deep bonds.
A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
Meaning: True friends show their loyalty during hard times.
Example: “She helped me when I was broke—a friend in need is a friend indeed.”
Alternative: “True colors show in tough times.”
Note: Common proverb, often used in both spoken and written English.
Joined at the Hip
Meaning: Two people who are always together.
Example: “Those two are joined at the hip—they never do anything separately.”
Alternative: “Inseparable.”
Note: Informal, often playful.
Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Meaning: People with similar interests stick together.
Example: “All the gamers hang out together—birds of a feather flock together.”
Alternative: “Like attracts like.”
Note: Often used to explain groups or cliques.
To Hit It Off
Meaning: To become friends instantly.
Example: “We met at the party and immediately hit it off.”
Alternative: “Click with someone.”
Note: Common when describing first meetings.
Meaning: A very close and trusted friend.
Example: “Jane has been my bosom buddy since high school.”
Alternative: “Best friend.”
Note: Slightly old-fashioned but still warm and affectionate.
Idioms for Supportive and Helpful Friends
Stand by Someone
Meaning: To support a friend no matter what.
Example: “He stood by me during my illness.”
Alternative: “Be there for someone.”
Note: Used in both formal and informal settings.
Through Thick and Thin
Meaning: To stay loyal in both good and bad times.
Example: “They’ve been friends through thick and thin.”
Alternative: “Ride or die.”
Note: Classic phrase to describe deep loyalty.
Have Someone’s Back
Meaning: To protect or support a friend.
Example: “Don’t worry—I’ve got your back.”
Alternative: “Look out for someone.”
Note: Casual and modern.
Go the Extra Mile
Meaning: To make special effort for a friend.
Example: “She went the extra mile to organize a surprise party for me.”
Alternative: “Bend over backwards.”
Note: Widely used in daily life and professional contexts.
Lend a Hand
Meaning: To help a friend in need.
Example: “Can you lend me a hand with moving these boxes?”
Alternative: “Give a hand.”
Note: Friendly, common in everyday English.
Keep Someone’s Spirits Up
Meaning: To cheer up a sad friend.
Example: “He kept her spirits up during exam stress.”
Alternative: “Lift someone’s mood.”
Note: Supportive and encouraging.
Be in Someone’s Corner
Meaning: To support and encourage a friend.
Example: “I’ll always be in your corner no matter what.”
Alternative: “Root for someone.”
Note: Motivational and reassuring.
Idioms for Fun and Casual Friendships
Fair-Weather Friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around during good times.
Example: “He vanished when I lost my job—a real fair-weather friend.”
Alternative: “Temporary friend.”
Note: Slightly negative, often used as a warning.
Two Peas in a Pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar.
Example: “They love the same hobbies—like two peas in a pod.”
Alternative: “Cut from the same cloth.”
Note: Playful and affectionate.
To Hang Out
Meaning: To spend casual time together.
Example: “We hang out every weekend at the café.”
Alternative: “Chill together.”
Note: Informal, common among young people.
Break the Ice
Meaning: To make people feel comfortable at the start of a friendship.
Example: “He told a funny joke to break the ice.”
Alternative: “Warm up to someone.”
Note: Common in new social situations.
Buddy-Buddy
Meaning: Friendly and close, often seen together.
Example: “They’ve been all buddy-buddy since college.”
Alternative: “Pally.”
Note: Informal and casual.
Pal Around
Meaning: To spend carefree time with a friend.
Example: “They pal around town like teenagers.”
Alternative: “Knock about with.”
Note: Used informally.
To Get Along Like a House on Fire
Meaning: To become good friends very quickly.
Example: “They got along like a house on fire from day one.”
Alternative: “Hit it off.”
Note: Playful and vivid, often used for exciting connections.
Idioms for Trust and Reliability in Friends
Build Bridges
Meaning: To repair or strengthen friendship.
Example: “After their argument, they worked to build bridges.”
Alternative: “Make amends.”
Note: Common in personal and professional relationships.
Circle of Friends
Meaning: A group of close friends.
Example: “She has a wide circle of friends at university.”
Alternative: “Friend group.”
Note: Used in everyday life.
Old Friend
Meaning: A long-time companion.
Example: “We met at the reunion—he’s an old friend from school.”
Alternative: “Long-time friend.”
Note: Neutral and widely used.
True Blue Friend
Meaning: A loyal and dependable friend.
Example: “She proved to be a true blue friend during my illness.”
Alternative: “Loyal friend.”
Note: Warm and sincere, often affectionate.
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Meaning: Family and close bonds are stronger than other ties.
Example: “She stood by her cousin—blood is thicker than water.”
Alternative: “Family first.”
Note: Often used for both family and deep friendships.
Keep in Touch
Meaning: To stay connected with friends.
Example: “Even after moving abroad, we kept in touch.”
Alternative: “Stay in contact.”
Note: Common in casual and professional usage.
Rekindle a Friendship
Meaning: To bring back an old friendship.
Example: “They rekindled their friendship after years apart.”
Alternative: “Reconnect.”
Note: Warm and emotional.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- In Speaking: Use them naturally in conversations to make your English sound warm and fluent. For example, say “We hit it off instantly” instead of “We became friends quickly.”
- In Writing: Add idioms to essays, letters, or even social media posts to sound expressive. Example: “She stood by me through thick and thin.”
- In Professional Settings: Use supportive idioms like “stand by someone” or “build bridges” to describe teamwork and workplace friendships.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Using Idioms Literally
- Wrong: “We are two peas in a pod, so we live in the same pod.”
- Correct: “We are two peas in a pod—we think alike.”
- Forgetting the Context
- Wrong: “I broke the ice with my boss after a year of working.”
- Correct: “I broke the ice at the start of the meeting.”
- Mixing Idioms Together
- Wrong: “He hit it off through thick and thin.”
- Correct: “He hit it off with her instantly.”
FAQs about Idioms for Friends
Q1: Why are idioms for friends important in English?
They help you express friendship more naturally, add emotion to your words, and connect better with native speakers.
Q2: Can I use friendship idioms in professional writing?
Yes, but choose formal ones like “stand by someone” or “build bridges” rather than casual ones like “buddy-buddy.”
Q3: Are idioms universal or culture-specific?
Many are culture-specific, but friendship idioms are often understood globally because friendship is universal.
Q4: Which idioms are best for casual conversations?
Phrases like “hang out,” “hit it off,” and “two peas in a pod” are great for casual talk.
Q5: How can I practice friendship idioms?
Use them in daily conversations, write them in a diary, or practice role-plays with friends.
Conclusion
Friendship makes life brighter, and idioms help us describe these bonds in a lively and heartfelt way.
From loyal friends who stand by us “through thick and thin” to casual buddies we “hang out” with, idioms bring warmth and depth to our words. Using these expressions will not only improve your English but also make your conversations more colorful and engaging.
So, the next time you talk about your friends, sprinkle in a few idioms—you’ll sound natural, expressive, and fun!
