Table of Contents
Quick Answer
The fastest way to understand English friendship idioms.
A friendship idiom is a figurative phrase that uses imagery to describe closeness, loyalty, or shared experiences between people. For example, when two people are "thick as thieves," they are very close friends, not actually criminals.
Native English speakers use friendship idioms constantly—to describe new connections, lifelong bonds, and even office dynamics. Below, you will find a grid of 20 common friendship idioms categorized by theme, followed by deep dives into each one, complete with origins, examples, and usage tips.
What is a Friendship Idiom?
A linguistic breakdown of figurative language about friends.
| Concept | Kinship Metaphor |
| Key Trait | Uses physical closeness and loyalty imagery to describe social bonds. |
| Usage | Informal and conversational. Used to express trust, similarity, or support. |
| Example | "Hit it off" (Become friends) vs. "Hit it" (Literal strike). |
| Translation | Social bonds are described differently across cultures. |
The 20 Friendship Idioms Grid
A complete visual directory of common friendship idioms. Click any phrase to explore its definition.
Closeness
Loyalty & Support
Making Friends
Comfort & Sharing
Fake or Awkward
Connections
Similarity & Peace
Hanging Out
Top 20 Friendship Idiom Deep Dives
Meanings, origins, and examples of the 20 most used friendship idioms.
Thick as Thieves
Very close friends who share secrets and are always together.
- They are as thick as thieves.
- The twins are thick as thieves.
- We became thick as thieves in college.
Two Peas in a Pod
Two people who are very similar or always together.
- They are like two peas in a pod.
- The sisters are two peas in a pod.
- We are two peas in a pod when it comes to music.
Through Thick and Thin
Staying loyal through both good and bad times.
- She stood by me through thick and thin.
- We've been through thick and thin together.
- True friends stay through thick and thin.
Hit It Off
To become friends immediately and easily.
- They hit it off right away.
- We hit it off on the first day.
- I hope we hit it off.
Fair-Weather Friend
A person who is only a friend when things are good, but leaves during hard times.
- He's just a fair-weather friend.
- I learned she was a fair-weather friend.
- Don't trust a fair-weather friend.
Friends in High Places
Having friends who are powerful or influential.
- He has friends in high places.
- She got the job through friends in high places.
- You need friends in high places to win.
Keep in Touch
To maintain contact and communication over time.
- Let's keep in touch.
- We kept in touch after college.
- Please keep in touch with me.
Birds of a Feather
People who are similar tend to group together.
- They're birds of a feather.
- We are birds of a feather.
- Birds of a feather flock together.
Bury the Hatchet
To make peace and end a conflict, becoming friends again.
- They finally buried the hatchet.
- Let's bury the hatchet and be friends.
- We decided to bury the hatchet.
Have Someone's Back
To be ready to support and defend someone.
- I've got your back.
- Thanks for having my back.
- Who has my back here?
Give the Shirt Off One's Back
To be extremely generous and helpful to someone.
- He'd give you the shirt off his back.
- She gave me the shirt off her back.
- They are the type to give the shirt off their back.
A Shoulder to Cry On
A friend who listens to your problems and offers comfort.
- I need a shoulder to cry on.
- She was a shoulder to cry on.
- Thanks for being a shoulder to cry on.
Break Bread
To share a meal together, often to build trust and friendship.
- Let's break bread together.
- We broke bread and settled our differences.
- It's nice to break bread with you.
Get Along Like a House on Fire
To become fast friends quickly and enthusiastically.
- They get along like a house on fire.
- We got along like a house on fire.
- The kids are like a house on fire.
Joined at the Hip
Two people who are always together and inseparable.
- They are joined at the hip.
- We were joined at the hip in school.
- Those two are joined at the hip.
A Friend in Need is a Friend Indeed
A true friend is someone who helps you when you are in trouble, not just when it's convenient.
- A friend in need is a friend indeed.
- She proved a friend in need is a friend indeed.
- Remember, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Third Wheel
An extra person who feels out of place when hanging out with a pair.
- I felt like a third wheel.
- Don't make me the third wheel.
- He hates being the third wheel.
Build Bridges
To promote good relationships and connections between people.
- We need to build bridges, not walls.
- She built bridges in the community.
- Let's try to build bridges with them.
Pal Around
To hang out or spend time together as friends.
- We used to pal around a lot.
- They pal around on weekends.
- Let's pal around sometime.
Fast Friends
People who become close friends very quickly.
- They became fast friends.
- We were fast friends in high school.
- The dogs are fast friends now.
50 Example Sentences
See how idioms function in original sentences across 5 contexts. The idiom is highlighted for easy learning.
Work & Office
- The marketing and sales teams finally decided to bury the hatchet and collaborate.
- I knew I hit it off with my new boss when we both started quoting the same movie.
- A true mentor will support you through thick and thin during your career.
- He got the executive job because he has friends in high places in the industry.
- My coworker would give me the shirt off his back if I ever needed help.
- It's important to keep in touch with your former colleagues for networking.
- We broke bread during the lunch meeting and finally reached an agreement.
- She is a fair-weather friend who only supports the team when we are winning.
- The new hires are getting along like a house on fire in the training session.
- I've got your back if the client tries to blame you for the delay.
School & Learning
- The two students are thick as thieves and always cheat on their homework together.
- I met my best friend in biology class, and we hit it off immediately.
- We became fast friends during the group project last semester.
- He felt like a third wheel when his two study partners started dating.
- She is like two peas in a pod with her lab partner; they even dress alike.
- They are birds of a feather, both obsessed with getting perfect grades.
- My college roommate was a shoulder to cry on when I failed my midterms.
- Let's pal around after school and grab some pizza.
- You learn who your real friends are during finals week; a friend in need is a friend indeed.
- We promised to keep in touch after graduation, no matter where we moved.
Relationships & Social
- We've been through thick and thin together, so I know she won't betray me.
- They started dating last week, but they've been joined at the hip ever since.
- It's hard to make new friends as an adult, but we managed to build bridges in the neighborhood.
- She realized he was just a fair-weather friend when he didn't show up to her funeral.
- Let's break bread this weekend and catch up on everything that's happened.
- My best friend is always a shoulder to cry on when my love life gets complicated.
- I love that we get along like a house on fire even after ten years of marriage.
- If you ever need a favor, ask John; he'd give you the shirt off his back.
- We decided to bury the hatchet after years of arguing over the same silly things.
- My sister and I are thick as thieves; we tell each other absolutely everything.
Daily Life & Home
- My next-door neighbor and I are two peas in a pod when it comes to gardening.
- I always have my sister's back when she argues with our parents.
- We became fast friends after bonding over our shared love for adopting rescue dogs.
- I felt like a third wheel when I went to the movies with my brother and his wife.
- It's vital to keep in touch with your elderly relatives who live alone.
- We pal around at the dog park every Saturday morning.
- She was a shoulder to cry on when I was going through my divorce.
- I would give the shirt off my back to help a friend in need.
- They are joined at the hip and even do their grocery shopping together.
- Our families broke bread together during the holidays to celebrate the new year.
Travel & Outdoors
- We became fast friends while stuck in the airport during a 10-hour delay.
- The two families were thick as thieves by the end of the week-long cruise.
- We promised to keep in touch after meeting on the hiking trail.
- My travel buddy has my back if we ever run into trouble in a foreign country.
- They are birds of a feather and love backpacking through Europe together.
- We hit it off with the other couple at the campsite and shared a fire.
- I hated feeling like a third wheel on their romantic getaway to Paris.
- We broke bread with the locals and learned so much about their culture.
- It's amazing how you can pal around with someone for a week on a road trip.
- A true travel companion will stay with you through thick and thin, even when flights are canceled.
Everyday Usage
How native speakers use friendship idioms in casual, daily life.
In daily conversation, friendship idioms are used to describe how people met and how close they are. Instead of saying "we are good friends," a native speaker might say "we are thick as thieves."
- "We hit it off right away at the party."
- "She's my best friend; we've been through thick and thin."
- "I felt like a third wheel on their date."
- "Let's keep in touch after we move!"
- "He's a fair-weather friend; he never helps when I need him."
Academic Usage
How to use friendship idioms in essays and research.
In academic writing, friendship idioms are generally avoided in favor of objective sociological terms. However, 'build bridges' and 'fair-weather friend' are sometimes used in sociology or psychology papers.
- "The program aims to build bridges between the two ethnic groups."
- "The data shows an increase in fair-weather friends on social media."
- "Participants reported having a shoulder to cry on during the crisis."
- "The study examines how fast friends form in high-stress environments."
- "Groups of birds of a feather tend to form cliques in school settings."
Professional Usage
How to use friendship idioms in business and corporate settings.
The business world uses friendship idioms to describe networking and team dynamics. 'Building bridges' is a standard corporate phrase for creating good business relationships.
- "We need to build bridges with the new stakeholders."
- "The two departments get along like a house on fire now."
- "It's good to have friends in high places in this industry."
- "Let's break bread with the clients to build trust."
- "I've got your back if the boss questions your numbers."
Real-Life Conversations
How native speakers use friendship idioms in common scenarios.
🏫 School
Student: Did you and the new kid become friends?
Teacher: Yes, you could say they hit it off.
🎓 College
Roommate 1: We need to stop fighting.
Roommate 2: I agree. Let's bury the hatchet.
🏢 Office
Colleague 1: Did Mark and Sarah get along?
Colleague 2: Yes, they are thick as thieves now.
💼 Business Meeting
Manager: We must build bridges with our competitors.
Employee: I'll set up a dinner so we can break bread.
🤝 Job Interview
Candidate: I always support my team.
Interviewer: It's good that you have their backs.
🍽️ Restaurant
Friend 1: I felt like a third wheel tonight.
Friend 2: Sorry, next time we won't bring our partners.
🛍️ Shopping
Shopper: The clerk and I are two peas in a pod.
Cashier: Yes, we love the same fashion brands!
✈️ Travel
Traveler: We became fast friends on the plane.
Agent: It's great to make friends while traveling.
🚗 Driving
Driver: My road trip buddy has my back.
Passenger: I'll keep you awake with my terrible singing.
👨👩👧👦 Family
Mom: Your aunt is a shoulder to cry on.
Dad: She's been there through thick and thin.
🎉 Friends
Friend 1: We pal around every weekend.
Friend 2: Yeah, we get along like a house on fire.
💌 Dating
Guy: He's just a fair-weather friend.
Friend: True, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
🏥 Healthcare
Patient: My nurse is so kind.
Doctor: She'd give you the shirt off her back.
🏠 Home
Wife: We are joined at the hip.
Husband: I wouldn't have it any other way.
Common Mistakes
Avoid these frequent idiom pitfalls.
Saying "thick as thiefs" instead of thieves.
✓ Say "thick as thieves."
Explanation: The plural of thief is thieves, changing the 'f' to a 'v'.
Tip: Remember the irregular plural spelling.
Saying "two peas in a pot" instead of pod.
✓ Say "two peas in a pod."
Explanation: The metaphor compares friends to peas growing in a literal garden pod, not a cooking pot.
Tip: Think of nature, not a kitchen.
Saying "through thick and thing" instead of thin.
✓ Say "through thick and thin."
Explanation: The idiom pairs the adjectives 'thick' (dense woods) and 'thin' (sparse clearings) to represent all obstacles.
Tip: It's a rhyming pair: thick and thin.
Saying "hit off" instead of hit it off.
✓ Say "hit it off."
Explanation: The idiom requires the pronoun 'it' to act as the object being 'hit' to spark a connection.
Tip: Always include the word 'it'.
Saying "fair-weathered friend" with an '-ed' suffix.
✓ Say "fair-weather friend."
Explanation: The compound adjective 'fair-weather' modifies the noun 'friend' without needing an '-ed' ending.
Tip: Keep it simple: fair-weather.
Saying "friends in high spaces" instead of places.
✓ Say "friends in high places."
Explanation: The idiom refers to 'places' of authority or royalty in a social hierarchy, not physical spaces.
Tip: Stick to 'places'.
Saying "keep in touched" with a past tense suffix.
✓ Say "keep in touch."
Explanation: The idiom uses the base verb 'touch' to describe ongoing contact, not a completed action.
Tip: Use the present tense 'touch'.
Saying "birds of a weather" instead of feather.
✓ Say "birds of a feather."
Explanation: The proverb refers to birds having the same plumage (feather), not the weather.
Tip: Think of bird plumage, not the sky.
Saying "bury the hammer" instead of hatchet.
✓ Say "bury the hatchet."
Explanation: The idiom comes from the specific Native American tradition of burying a small axe (hatchet) to signal peace.
Tip: Use the weapon 'hatchet', not a tool.
Saying "have someone's spine" instead of back.
✓ Say "have someone's back."
Explanation: The military metaphor refers to guarding the rear (back) of a comrade, not their internal spine.
Tip: Stick to the standard 'back'.
Correct vs. Incorrect Examples
Contextual usage comparisons.
Incorrect
They hit it off, so they hate each other now.
Correct
They hit it off, so they are best friends now.
Incorrect
He is a fair-weather friend because he helped me when I lost my job.
Correct
He is a true friend because he helped me when I lost my job.
Incorrect
We broke bread, so we are enemies now.
Correct
We broke bread, so we built trust and friendship.
Incorrect
I felt like a third wheel, so I had a great time with the couple.
Correct
I felt like a third wheel, so I was awkward and left early.
Incorrect
She has friends in high places, so she can never get a permit.
Correct
She has friends in high places, so she can easily get a permit.
Incorrect
We are two peas in a pod, we have absolutely nothing in common.
Correct
We are two peas in a pod, we have everything in common.
Incorrect
He buried the hatchet, meaning he started a new fight.
Correct
He buried the hatchet, meaning he made peace and ended the fight.
Incorrect
I gave him the shirt off my back, but I was very stingy.
Correct
I gave him the shirt off my back, and I was extremely generous.
Incorrect
We get along like a house on fire, our friendship is boring and slow.
Correct
We get along like a house on fire, our friendship is rapid and lively.
Incorrect
A friend in need is a friend indeed, so John left when I got sick.
Correct
A friend in need is a friend indeed, so John stayed and helped me when I got sick.
🎮 Mini Quiz
Test your knowledge with these interactive questions.
Loading...
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to common questions.
What is a friendship idiom?
A friendship idiom is a figurative phrase that uses imagery to describe closeness, loyalty, or shared experiences between people.
Why are close friends called 'thick as thieves'?
It comes from the 19th century, comparing close friends to criminals who plot together in secret, sharing everything.
Is 'fair-weather friend' used in formal writing?
Yes, it is widely accepted in journalism and psychology to describe a person who abandons others during hard times.
What is the origin of 'bury the hatchet'?
It comes from a Native American tradition of literally burying weapons (hatchets) in the ground to signal peace and the end of a conflict.
Does 'fast friends' mean the friendship will end quickly?
No. 'Fast' in this idiom means 'firmly fixed' or 'steadfast', meaning the friendship formed quickly and is very strong.
What is the difference between a 'fair-weather friend' and 'a friend in need'?
A fair-weather friend leaves during hard times, while 'a friend in need is a friend indeed' means someone who stays and helps you during trouble is a true friend.
Why do we say 'break bread' for friendship?
In ancient times and in the Bible, sharing a loaf of bread was a universal sign of trust, community, and peace between people.
What does it mean to be a 'third wheel'?
It means being an extra person in a group of two, making you feel awkward and out of place, like an unnecessary extra wheel on a two-wheeled vehicle.
Are 'friends in high places' always good to have?
In business and politics, yes. It means having influential connections who can help you achieve your goals or get out of trouble.
How can I remember the meaning of 'get along like a house on fire'?
Picture a house fire spreading rapidly and brightly. It means a friendship that starts quickly, enthusiastically, and with a lot of energy.
Quick Reference
A cheat sheet for fast recall.
Rule of Thumb: Friendship idioms are often used to describe corporate team dynamics as well as personal relationships.
Find words exactly how you need them
Explore our extensive dictionary using different filters and categories.