Friendship is one of life’s most cherished treasures. Understanding friendship through idioms helps us appreciate the deep bonds and shared experiences that define true companionship.
Idioms on Friendship capture emotions, loyalty, and the unique dynamics between friends, making these expressions vivid and relatable in everyday conversations.
1. A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
Meaning: A true friend is someone who supports you when you are in trouble.
In a Sentence: When I lost my job, Sarah was there for me—truly a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Other Ways to Say: Stand by someone, Through thick and thin, True blue friend
2. Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Meaning: People with similar interests or personalities tend to spend time together.
In a Sentence: You’ll notice that all the music lovers hang out together; birds of a feather flock together.
Other Ways to Say: Like attracts like, Cut from the same cloth
3. Thick as Thieves
Meaning: Two or more people who are very close and share secrets.
In a Sentence: Those two have been thick as thieves since childhood.
Other Ways to Say: In cahoots, Bosom buddies
4. To Hit It Off
Meaning: To quickly form a good friendship or connection with someone.
In a Sentence: From the moment they met, they hit it off and became inseparable.
Other Ways to Say: Get along famously, Click with someone
5. Through Thick and Thin
Meaning: To stay loyal and supportive in good times and bad.
In a Sentence: No matter what happens, she’s stood by me through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say: Stick together, Ride out the storm
See Also 30 Idioms for Flowers
6. Joined at the Hip
Meaning: Two people who are always together and rarely apart.
In a Sentence: The twins are joined at the hip—they do everything together.
Other Ways to Say: Two peas in a pod, Inseparable
7. Like Two Peas in a Pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar or close friends.
In a Sentence: You and John are like two peas in a pod; you share the same sense of humor.
Other Ways to Say: Birds of a feather, Cut from the same cloth
8. Fair-Weather Friend
Meaning: A friend who is only around during good times, not when things get tough.
In a Sentence: He stopped calling when I was in trouble—a real fair-weather friend.
Other Ways to Say: Frenemy, Conditional friend
9. Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: Someone who listens and offers comfort during difficult times.
In a Sentence: After the breakup, I really needed a shoulder to cry on.
Other Ways to Say: Listening ear, Support system
10. To Break the Ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation or friendship in an awkward or new situation.
In a Sentence: He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
Other Ways to Say: Start the ball rolling, Make a connection
11. To Get on Like a House on Fire
Meaning: To quickly become very good friends.
In a Sentence: They met at camp and got on like a house on fire.
Other Ways to Say: Hit it off, Bond instantly
12. To Bend Over Backwards
Meaning: To make a great effort to help a friend.
In a Sentence: She bent over backwards to help me move into my new apartment.
Other Ways to Say: Go the extra mile, Pull out all the stops
13. To Have Someone’s Back
Meaning: To support and defend a friend no matter what.
In a Sentence: Don’t worry, I’ve got your back during the presentation.
Other Ways to Say: Stand up for, Watch someone’s six
14. To Keep Someone at Arm’s Length
Meaning: To keep a certain distance and not get too close emotionally.
In a Sentence: He keeps everyone at arm’s length, even his closest friends.
Other Ways to Say: Maintain distance, Guard one’s heart
15. To Be Like Family
Meaning: To share a bond as close as that of family members.
In a Sentence: We’ve been friends so long, you’re like family to me.
Other Ways to Say: Close-knit, Kindred spirits
16. To Have a Heart-to-Heart
Meaning: To have an honest and intimate conversation with a friend.
In a Sentence: We had a heart-to-heart about our fears and dreams.
Other Ways to Say: Talk openly, Clear the air
17. To See Eye to Eye
Meaning: To agree fully with a friend on ideas or opinions.
In a Sentence: Despite their differences, they see eye to eye on most issues.
Other Ways to Say: Be on the same wavelength, Agree wholeheartedly
18. To Hit Below the Belt
Meaning: To say something unfair or hurtful to a friend.
In a Sentence: Criticizing her appearance was hitting below the belt.
Other Ways to Say: Low blow, Unfair strike
19. To Put One’s Foot in One’s Mouth
Meaning: To say something embarrassing or inappropriate around friends.
In a Sentence: I really put my foot in my mouth when I mentioned her surprise party.
Other Ways to Say: Slip of the tongue, Speak out of turn
20. To Take Someone Under One’s Wing
Meaning: To mentor or protect a less experienced friend.
In a Sentence: She took me under her wing during my first week at work.
Other Ways to Say: Guide, Show the ropes
21. To Give Someone a Run for Their Money
Meaning: To challenge a friend competitively.
In a Sentence: In the tennis match, she really gave me a run for my money.
Other Ways to Say: Put up a fight, Go head-to-head
22. To Be the Life of the Party
Meaning: To be the friend who brings energy and fun to social gatherings.
In a Sentence: Mark is always the life of the party with his jokes and stories.
Other Ways to Say: Social butterfly, Party animal
23. To Cross Someone’s Path
Meaning: To meet or encounter a friend, often unexpectedly.
In a Sentence: I never expected to cross paths with my old schoolmate here.
Other Ways to Say: Run into, Come across
24. To Know Someone Inside Out
Meaning: To understand a friend very deeply, including their thoughts and feelings.
In a Sentence: After years of friendship, I know her inside out.
Other Ways to Say: Know someone like the back of your hand, Understand thoroughly
25. To Make Amends
Meaning: To repair a friendship after a disagreement or mistake.
In a Sentence: After their argument, they met to make amends and move forward.
Other Ways to Say: Mend fences, Reconcile
Friendship Idioms Quiz
1. What does the idiom “A friend in need is a friend indeed” mean?
A) A friend is someone who shares your hobbies
B) A true friend supports you in difficult times
C) Friends always agree with you
D) A friend who is only around in good times
Answer: B) A true friend supports you in difficult times
2. Which idiom means that two people are very close and share secrets?
A) Birds of a feather flock together
B) Fair-weather friend
C) Thick as thieves
D) To hit it off
Answer: C) Thick as thieves
3. If two friends “hit it off,” what has happened?
A) They argued loudly
B) They quickly formed a good friendship
C) They avoided each other
D) They stopped talking
Answer: B) They quickly formed a good friendship
4. What does “fair-weather friend” refer to?
A) A loyal friend during tough times
B) A friend who likes sunny days
C) A friend who is only there during good times
D) A lifelong friend
Answer: C) A friend who is only there during good times
5. Which idiom means to stay loyal and supportive no matter what?
A) Through thick and thin
B) To keep someone at arm’s length
C) To break the ice
D) To give someone a run for their money
Answer: A) Through thick and thin
6. What does “joined at the hip” describe?
A) Two people who often fight
B) Two people who are inseparable
C) Friends who work together
D) Someone who keeps distance
Answer: B) Two people who are inseparable
7. “Shoulder to cry on” means:
A) Someone who is always laughing
B) Someone who provides comfort in tough times
C) Someone who ignores your problems
D) Someone who gives gifts
Answer: B) Someone who provides comfort in tough times
8. Which idiom would you use to describe agreeing fully with a friend?
A) To see eye to eye
B) To bend over backwards
C) To break the ice
D) To keep someone at arm’s length
Answer: A) To see eye to eye
9. If someone “takes you under their wing,” they:
A) Protect and mentor you
B) Ignore you
C) Criticize you
D) Compete with you
Answer: A) Protect and mentor you
10. What does it mean to “make amends”?
A) To break a friendship
B) To argue more
C) To repair a friendship after a disagreement
D) To stop talking forever
Answer: C) To repair a friendship after a disagreement
Conclusion
Friendship idioms enrich our communication by expressing complex feelings and relationships in simple, memorable ways. They help us understand loyalty, support, and connection through vivid language.
Using these idioms can deepen friendships and clarify emotional experiences. Whether describing close bonds or challenges, idioms bring warmth and meaning to how we talk about friends. Embracing them can enhance both speech and writing in social contexts.
Read More About Idioms At spotwave