29 Idioms for Family

Family is one of the most important aspects of life, and idioms help us capture the depth of relationships, love, and support we share with our loved ones. From the bonds that tie us together to the challenges we face as a unit, idiomatic expressions allow us to express the significance of family in unique and memorable ways. These idioms help us convey both the joy and struggles of family life, from unconditional love to sibling rivalry.

In this article, you’ll discover 29 idioms for family, each reflecting a different aspect of family life, relationships, and dynamics. These idioms will help you express how family impacts your world.

1. Blood is Thicker Than Water

Meaning: Family bonds are stronger and more important than other relationships.
In a Sentence:

• She always supports me, no matter what, because blood is thicker than water.
• Even though we’ve had our differences, remember that blood is thicker than water.
  Other Ways to Say: Family first, family loyalty, kinship over friendship

2. Like Father, Like Son

Meaning: A son often resembles or inherits characteristics from his father, whether it’s behavior, traits, or habits.
In a Sentence:

• He’s always getting into trouble just like his dad—like father, like son.
• His son has the same love for fishing as he does; truly, like father, like son.
  Other Ways to Say: Family resemblance, generational traits, similar characteristics

3. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Meaning: Children often resemble or inherit traits from their parents.
In a Sentence:

• She’s just as creative as her mother; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
• His behavior is so much like his father’s—truly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
  Other Ways to Say: Family resemblance, following in someone’s footsteps, inherited traits

4. Family Ties

Meaning: The relationships and connections that bind family members together.
In a Sentence:

• Despite their differences, the family’s strong ties kept them united through the tough times.
• Family ties are unbreakable, and no argument can change the love between us.
  Other Ways to Say: Family bonds, familial relationships, close-knit family

5. Home is Where the Heart Is

Meaning: Home is not just a physical place; it’s wherever you feel most loved and connected, especially with family.
In a Sentence:

• I’ve lived in many cities, but home is where the heart is, and that’s with my family.
• No matter where I go, I’ll always feel at home because home is where the heart is.
  Other Ways to Say: Home is where you feel loved, love makes a home, family is home

6. A Chip Off the Old Block

Meaning: A person who resembles or behaves similarly to their parent, especially in terms of characteristics or behavior.
In a Sentence:

• He’s a chip off the old block, always getting into mischief just like his dad.
• She’s a chip off the old block—her mother was a strong, independent woman, and so is she.
  Other Ways to Say: Like parent, similar traits, family resemblance

7. Make a Family Affair

Meaning: To include family members in an activity or event, turning it into a shared experience.
In a Sentence:

• We decided to make the weekend barbecue a family affair, inviting everyone over to join in the fun.
• The holiday dinner turned into a family affair with cousins, aunts, and uncles all gathering together.
  Other Ways to Say: Family gathering, shared experience, family event

8. Blood Relatives

Meaning: People who are related by birth, rather than by marriage or other forms of relationship.
In a Sentence:

• Even though they were close friends, they were not blood relatives.
• They were blood relatives, bound by shared history and family heritage.
  Other Ways to Say: Biological family, family by birth, immediate family

9. You Can’t Choose Your Family

Meaning: You don’t have control over the family you’re born into, so you must accept them as they are.
In a Sentence:

• We may not always get along, but you can’t choose your family, and we’re stuck with each other.
• I don’t always agree with my parents, but you can’t choose your family.
  Other Ways to Say: Family is family, family dynamics, accepting family

10. In the Family Way

Meaning: A polite expression for being pregnant.
In a Sentence:

• She’s been feeling a little tired lately, and I heard she’s in the family way.
• After months of trying, they’re finally in the family way, expecting their first child.
  Other Ways to Say: Expecting a child, with child, pregnant

11. Family First

Meaning: Prioritizing the needs and well-being of family members above all else.
In a Sentence:

• He always puts family first, even if it means making sacrifices in his personal life.
• She believes in family first, which is why she spends every weekend with her children.
  Other Ways to Say: Prioritize family, family matters, family comes first

12. Blood Runs Thicker Than Water

Meaning: Family relationships are stronger and more enduring than other relationships, such as friendships.
In a Sentence:

• Despite their differences, when it comes down to it, blood runs thicker than water, and they always support each other.
• She realized that blood runs thicker than water when her friends were no longer there, but her family stood by her side.
  Other Ways to Say: Family loyalty, kinship bonds, familial loyalty

13. A Family Affair

Meaning: Something that involves or includes the entire family.
In a Sentence:

• The family reunion was truly a family affair, with cousins, grandparents, and siblings all in attendance.
• The wedding turned into a family affair, with everyone pitching in to help make it special.
  Other Ways to Say: Family event, family gathering, all-inclusive family event

14. Like Mother, Like Daughter

Meaning: A daughter often resembles or inherits traits from her mother, whether in behavior, appearance, or interests.
In a Sentence:

• She’s as artistic as her mom—like mother, like daughter!
• They both love gardening—like mother, like daughter, indeed.
  Other Ways to Say: Generational traits, family resemblance, similar to her mother

15. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree

Meaning: Children often resemble or inherit traits from their parents.
In a Sentence:

• He’s got his father’s sense of humor; truly, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
• She’s as creative as her mom; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
  Other Ways to Say: Like parent, following in someone’s footsteps, inherited traits

16. A Tight-Knit Family

Meaning: A family that is very close and supportive of one another.
In a Sentence:

• They’ve always been a tight-knit family, sharing everything and supporting each other through thick and thin.
• Our family is a tight-knit group; we always have each other’s backs no matter what.
  Other Ways to Say: Close family, close-knit group, supportive family

17. Blood is Thicker Than Water

Meaning: Family relationships are stronger and more significant than other relationships, like friendships.
In a Sentence:

• Despite their disagreements, when it comes to difficult times, blood is thicker than water, and the family stands together.
• The siblings argued a lot, but blood is thicker than water, and they always reconciled.
  Other Ways to Say: Family over friends, family loyalty, kinship ties

18. Kith and Kin

Meaning: One’s family and close friends, often referring to a person’s close circle.
In a Sentence:

• She invited all her kith and kin to celebrate the anniversary.
• It’s always a wonderful time when you’re surrounded by your kith and kin during the holidays.
  Other Ways to Say: Close family and friends, loved ones, inner circle

19. To Keep in the Family

Meaning: To keep something within the family, often referring to family businesses, traditions, or secrets.
In a Sentence:

• They decided to keep the business in the family and passed it down to the children.
• The family agreed to keep the heirloom in the family and not sell it to outsiders.
  Other Ways to Say: Family-owned, family tradition, pass down through generations

20. The Black Sheep of the Family

Meaning: A family member who is considered different or unconventional, often viewed negatively by the rest of the family.
In a Sentence:

• He’s the black sheep of the family, always making decisions that go against the grain.
• Growing up, she always felt like the black sheep of the family because she had different interests than her siblings.
  Other Ways to Say: Outsider, nonconformist, the odd one out

21. Family Ties

Meaning: The emotional connections and bonds that exist between family members.
In a Sentence:

• Despite the distance, the family’s strong ties kept them close and united.
• Family ties are important, and they help maintain strong relationships, even in difficult times.
  Other Ways to Say: Family bonds, familial connections, close-knit family

22. Run in the Family

Meaning: A trait, behavior, or characteristic that is common among family members or passed down through generations.
In a Sentence:

• Creativity runs in the family, with both her parents being artists.
• A love for music runs in the family, and it’s no surprise that he’s a talented musician.
  Other Ways to Say: Family trait, inherited characteristic, family tradition

23. A Family Affair

Meaning: An event or situation that involves all or most members of the family.
In a Sentence:

• The wedding was a family affair, with everyone from the cousins to the grandparents taking part.
• The barbecue was a family affair, with everyone pitching in to make it a great day.
  Other Ways to Say: Family gathering, family event, family reunion

24. Keep It in the Family

Meaning: To keep something, such as business matters or personal secrets, private within the family.
In a Sentence:

• The family decided to keep the business in the family and not sell to outside investors.
• We decided to keep it in the family and not share the news with outsiders just yet.
  Other Ways to Say: Family-owned, family tradition, internal matter

25. Father Knows Best

Meaning: The idea that a father’s advice or decision is always correct or wise, sometimes used humorously.
In a Sentence:

• When she didn’t know how to solve the problem, she turned to her dad—after all, father knows best.
• He always says, “Father knows best,” but I think we should make our own decisions now.
  Other Ways to Say: Father’s wisdom, paternal advice, trusted decision

26. Like Mother, Like Daughter

Meaning: A daughter often resembles or follows in the footsteps of her mother, especially in behavior or traits.
In a Sentence:

• She’s always been artistic, and like mother, like daughter, her daughter shares the same talent.
• Like mother, like daughter, they both have a great love for fashion.
  Other Ways to Say: Generational traits, similar to mom, family resemblance

27. A House Divided

Meaning: A family or group that is experiencing internal conflict or disagreement.
In a Sentence:

• Their arguments over the inheritance made the family feel like a house divided.
• A house divided over conflicting opinions about the future of the family business.
  Other Ways to Say: Family conflict, internal struggle, fractured family

28. Home is Where the Heart Is

Meaning: Home is not just a physical place, but wherever you feel most comfortable, safe, and loved, especially with family.
In a Sentence:

• I may have lived in many cities, but home is where the heart is, and that’s with my family.
• He found that home is where the heart is, spending time with his loved ones instead of chasing material success.
  Other Ways to Say: Family is home, love makes a home, where you belong

29. The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together

Meaning: Families who spend quality time together are more likely to remain close and united.
In a Sentence:

• They make sure to have family game nights every week because they believe the family that plays together, stays together.
• The family that plays together, stays together; spending time together strengthens their bond.
  Other Ways to Say: Family bonding, togetherness, spending quality time

Practice Exercise

1. She is always there for me, a true friend and ___________ when I need someone to listen.
2. They decided to ___________ by keeping all their business dealings private within the family.
3. The family remains ___________ even in difficult times, offering each other unwavering support.
4. They believe ___________—no matter what happens, their love for each other will remain strong.
5. After all the family drama, it was clear that ___________ still prevailed in the end.
6. The sibling rivalry between them is intense, but ___________ still holds true, no matter the differences.
7. They are so close-knit that every holiday is truly ___________ with all of their relatives joining in.
8. She’s the ___________ of the family, always the first one to offer help and support when needed.
9. Every year, we make it a point to spend the holidays with our ___________.
10. He often feels like the ___________ of the family, as he is so different from everyone else.
11. She made sure to put ___________ by always prioritizing her children’s well-being before anything else.
12. Family is ___________; no matter where I go, the love and connection with them is what feels like home.
13. We all love hiking and exploring together—truly, ___________.
14. Her sense of humor is just like her father’s, ___________.
15. ___________ is important in their family, as they always work together to achieve common goals.
16. It’s important to ___________ and not dwell on the past; after all, we’re family.
17. They’ve decided to ___________ and not share their personal matters with anyone outside the family.
18. When life gets tough, the family comes together as a whole, just like ___________.
19. He often tells his children that ___________ and should always be treated with respect.
20. They had an argument, but in the end, ___________ as they came together to support one another.
21. She decided to ___________ when she helped her sister with her wedding plans, without expecting anything in return.
22. It’s always good to ___________ when you can, as it helps others when they need it most.
23. Family bonds run deep in their family; love and kindness ___________ and are passed down.
24. ___________ makes us who we are, and we should celebrate the unique traits that come from our family.
25. ___________ when life gets tough—it’s important to stay strong for the family.
26. Life can be hard, but you must always remember that ___________.
27. As a family, we like to enjoy weekends together—it’s definitely ___________.
28. He tries to ___________ and make sure he spends quality time with his siblings whenever possible.
29. He has the same sense of adventure as his father—truly, ___________.

Answer Key

1. h) A Shoulder to Cry On
2. v) Keep it in the Family
3. p) A Tight-Knit Family
4. j) Blood Runs Thicker Than Water
5. b) A Chip Off the Old Block
6. e) Like Father, Like Son
7. i) Make a Family Affair
8. l) A Helping Hand
9. w) Kith and Kin
10. x) The Black Sheep of the Family
11. m) Family First
12. k) Home is Where the Heart Is
13. g) The Family That Plays Together, Stays Together
14. e) Like Father, Like Son
15. r) Family Ties
16. o) Keep Your Chin Up
17. v) Keep in the Family
18. w) Kith and Kin
19. n) Do a Good Turn
20. t) A House Divided
21. u) Pay it Forward
22. l) A Helping Hand
23. y) Run in the Family
24. z) Family Comes First
25. o) Keep Your Chin Up
26. j) Blood Runs Thicker Than Water
27. i) Make a Family Affair
28. w) Kith and Kin
29. b) A Chip Off the Old Block

Conclusion

Family is one of the most powerful and enduring aspects of life, and the 29 idioms for family reflect the deep connections, love, and sometimes challenges that come with family relationships. From the support of a shoulder to cry on to the understanding that blood is thicker than water, these idioms help us convey the significance of family in our lives.

These expressions not only enrich our language but also remind us of the importance of connection, loyalty, and love within the family. Whether you’re describing family bonds or navigating the ups and downs of familial dynamics, these idioms provide a colorful and meaningful way to communicate the essence of family life.

Next time you talk about family, consider using one of these idioms to express the depth of your connections, the love you share, or the occasional challenges you may face.