Friends are people we care about and spend time with. They help us feel happy, safe, and supported. In English, there are many idioms, or special phrases, that describe different kinds of friendships. These idioms use simple words, but their meanings are not always clear unless you’ve heard them before. Learning these phrases can help you understand what people really mean when they talk about friends.
This article will show you some common idioms about friendship. You’ll read what each one means and how it is used in real life. These idioms will help you talk about friends in fun and interesting ways. After that, you can test yourself with a short quiz to see how well you remember them.
Idioms for Friends
1. A friend in need is a friend indeed
Meaning: A true friend helps you when you really need them.
Sample Sentences: When I was sick, Jane stayed with me. A friend in need is a friend indeed. / He showed he cared by helping me during tough times because a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Other Way to Say: True friend / Real helper
2. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People who are alike spend time together.
Sample Sentences: Tom and Jerry both love soccer; birds of a feather flock together. / You and your best friend like the same games—birds of a feather flock together.
Other Way to Say: Like attracts like / Similar people stick together
3. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two friends who are very similar or close.
Sample Sentences: Anna and Mia are always together; they are like two peas in a pod. / My brother and his best friend are two peas in a pod because they like the same things.
Other Way to Say: Very close friends / Best buddies
4. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close friends who share secrets.
Sample Sentences: Jake and Max are thick as thieves and tell each other everything. / Sarah and Lily are thick as thieves since kindergarten.
Other Way to Say: Best friends / Close as can be
5. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: A friend who is only there when things are good.
Sample Sentences: He stopped talking to me when I had problems—he was a fair-weather friend. / Be careful, sometimes fair-weather friends disappear when you need them.
Other Way to Say: Unreliable friend / Not a true friend
6. Friends forever
Meaning: Friends who will stay friends for a very long time.
Sample Sentences: We made a promise to be friends forever. / Even when we move, we’ll be friends forever.
Other Way to Say: Lifelong friends / Always friends
7. Like chalk and cheese
Meaning: Two friends who are very different from each other.
Sample Sentences: Even though they are like chalk and cheese, they are still good friends. / My two best friends are like chalk and cheese, but they get along well.
Other Way to Say: Very different / Opposite friends
8. Shoulder to cry on
Meaning: A friend who listens and helps when you are sad.
Sample Sentences: When I was upset, my friend was a shoulder to cry on. / She’s always there as a shoulder to cry on when I need help.
Other Way to Say: Supportive friend / Caring listener
9. Joined at the hip
Meaning: Friends who spend almost all their time together.
Sample Sentences: They are joined at the hip and do everything together. / Me and my best friend are joined at the hip during recess.
Other Way to Say: Always together / Best buddies
10. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To do more than what is expected for a friend.
Sample Sentences: She went the extra mile to help me finish my homework. / True friends go the extra mile to help each other.
Other Way to Say: Do more than needed / Help a lot
11. Thick and thin
Meaning: Stay friends no matter what happens.
Sample Sentences: We’ve been friends through thick and thin. / Real friends stick with you through thick and thin.
Other Way to Say: Always together / Through good and bad
12. Get on like a house on fire
Meaning: To become good friends very quickly.
Sample Sentences: They met at camp and got on like a house on fire. / My new friend and I get on like a house on fire.
Other Way to Say: Click instantly / Fast friends
13. Put your best foot forward
Meaning: Try your best to make a good impression on friends.
Sample Sentences: I put my best foot forward when I met my new classmates. / Always put your best foot forward to make new friends.
Other Way to Say: Try your best / Show your best self
14. Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: To not let someone get too close as a friend.
Sample Sentences: I keep him at arm’s length because I don’t trust him yet. / Sometimes it’s smart to keep people at arm’s length until you know them.
Other Way to Say: Stay distant / Not too close
15. Through thick and thin
Meaning: To support a friend no matter what.
Sample Sentences: Friends help each other through thick and thin. / We promised to stay friends through thick and thin.
Other Way to Say: Always there / No matter what
16. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To try very hard to help a friend.
Sample Sentences: She bent over backwards to help me with my project. / True friends bend over backwards to support each other.
Other Way to Say: Try very hard / Help a lot
17. Break the ice
Meaning: To do or say something to start a friendship.
Sample Sentences: I told a joke to break the ice at the new school. / She broke the ice by saying hello first.
Other Way to Say: Start talking / Make friends
18. Have someone’s back
Meaning: To support and protect a friend.
Sample Sentences: Don’t worry, I have your back during the game. / Good friends always have each other’s backs.
Other Way to Say: Support / Protect
19. Go Dutch
Meaning: Friends share the cost or work equally.
Sample Sentences: We decided to go Dutch for lunch. / When we buy gifts, we like to go Dutch.
Other Way to Say: Share equally / Split the cost
20. On the same page
Meaning: Friends who agree or think alike.
Sample Sentences: We’re on the same page about our team plan. / Good friends are on the same page when working together.
Other Way to Say: Agree / Think alike
21. Keep in touch
Meaning: To continue talking or writing to friends even when apart.
Sample Sentences: We moved to different schools but still keep in touch. / I like to keep in touch with my summer camp friends.
Other Way to Say: Stay connected / Stay friends
22. Hit it off
Meaning: To like someone and become friends quickly.
Sample Sentences: I hit it off with my new neighbor right away. / They hit it off during the first day of school.
Other Way to Say: Click / Get along well
23. On speaking terms
Meaning: Friends who still talk after a disagreement.
Sample Sentences: After the fight, they are finally on speaking terms again. / Even if you argue, it’s good to stay on speaking terms.
Other Way to Say: Still talk / Not enemies
24. Make up
Meaning: To become friends again after a fight.
Sample Sentences: They had a fight but made up before school. / I hope we can make up after arguing.
Other Way to Say: Become friends again / Say sorry
25. Best buds
Meaning: Very good friends.
Sample Sentences: We’ve been best buds since first grade. / My dog and I are best buds.
Other Way to Say: Best friends / Close pals
26. Friends like these, who needs enemies?
Meaning: Sometimes friends can hurt you as much as enemies.
Sample Sentences: He spread rumors about me—friends like these, who needs enemies? / I trusted her, but she lied. Friends like these, who needs enemies?
Other Way to Say: Hurtful friends / Untrustworthy friends
27. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer
Meaning: It’s smart to watch your enemies carefully.
Sample Sentences: Even if we don’t like him, I keep my friends close and my enemies closer. / To avoid trouble, remember to keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Other Way to Say: Watch carefully / Stay aware
28. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two friends who are very alike.
Sample Sentences: Those twins are like two peas in a pod. / My best friend and I are like two peas in a pod—we think alike.
Other Way to Say: Very similar / Close friends
29. Friends for life
Meaning: Friends who will stay friends forever.
Sample Sentences: We promise to be friends for life. / Even if we move, we are friends for life.
Other Way to Say: Lifelong friends / Always friends
30. In good company
Meaning: Being with friends or people you like.
Sample Sentences: I was happy because I was in good company. / It’s fun to be in good company at recess.
Other Way to Say: With friends / Not alone
31. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family is more important than friends.
Sample Sentences: I helped my sister first because blood is thicker than water. / Even though friends are important, blood is thicker than water.
Other Way to Say: Family comes first / Family ties strong
32. Cast the first stone
Meaning: Don’t blame friends if you have faults too.
Sample Sentences: Don’t cast the first stone if you make mistakes too. / We should forgive friends before we cast the first stone.
Other Way to Say: Don’t judge / Be forgiving
33. Bend the truth
Meaning: To not tell the whole truth, sometimes to protect a friend.
Sample Sentences: I bent the truth to keep my friend’s secret. / Sometimes we bend the truth to help friends.
Other Way to Say: Stretch the truth / Not tell all
34. Break the bank
Meaning: Spend a lot of money on friends or gifts.
Sample Sentences: I didn’t want to break the bank buying a gift for her. / Let’s have fun without breaking the bank.
Other Way to Say: Spend a lot / Use too much money
35. Call it a day
Meaning: Decide to stop working or playing and rest with friends.
Sample Sentences: After the game, we called it a day. / We called it a day and went home together.
Other Way to Say: Stop for now / End the day
36. Cut corners
Meaning: To do something quickly and not very well.
Sample Sentences: Don’t cut corners when helping a friend. / We finished fast but didn’t cut corners.
Other Way to Say: Do less work / Take shortcuts
37. Hit the road
Meaning: To leave with friends and go somewhere.
Sample Sentences: After lunch, we hit the road for the park. / It was time to hit the road and head home.
Other Way to Say: Leave / Start a trip
38. Jump the gun
Meaning: To do something before the right time.
Sample Sentences: Don’t jump the gun on telling the secret. / He jumped the gun and spoiled the surprise.
Other Way to Say: Act too soon / Hurry too fast
39. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: Accidentally tell a secret.
Sample Sentences: I let the cat out of the bag about the party. / She let the cat out of the bag before the surprise.
Other Way to Say: Spill the secret / Tell by mistake
40. On cloud nine
Meaning: Very happy, like when you are with good friends.
Sample Sentences: I was on cloud nine after winning the game. / She felt on cloud nine spending time with friends.
Other Way to Say: Very happy / Over the moon
41. Over the moon
Meaning: Extremely happy.
Sample Sentences: He was over the moon when his friend visited. / We were over the moon after our team won.
Other Way to Say: Very excited / Happy
42. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something easy to do with friends.
Sample Sentences: The project was a piece of cake with my friends’ help. / Cleaning up was a piece of cake when we worked together.
Other Way to Say: Very easy / Simple task
43. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease a friend.
Sample Sentences: I was just pulling your leg about the test. / Don’t take it seriously, I’m pulling your leg.
Other Way to Say: Joke / Tease
44. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret.
Sample Sentences: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party. / She spilled the beans and told everyone.
Other Way to Say: Tell secret / Give it away
45. Take it with a grain of salt
Meaning: Don’t believe everything a friend says.
Sample Sentences: Take what he says with a grain of salt; he likes to joke. / I take some stories with a grain of salt.
Other Way to Say: Don’t fully believe / Be skeptical
46. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s your turn to do something in a friendship.
Sample Sentences: I told her how I feel, now the ball is in her court. / The ball is in your court to invite him.
Other Way to Say: Your turn / You decide
47. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick, and friends care for you.
Sample Sentences: I was under the weather, so my friend brought me soup. / She felt under the weather but cheered up with friends.
Other Way to Say: Feeling sick / Not well
48. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
Sample Sentences: He said he’d share his candy when pigs fly. / I’ll finish my homework early when pigs fly!
Other Way to Say: Never / Impossible
49. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours
Meaning: Help each other out.
Sample Sentences: You help me with my homework, and I’ll help you. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. / Friends often say, “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”
Other Way to Say: Help each other / Mutual help
50. Zip your lip
Meaning: Keep a secret, don’t tell anyone.
Sample Sentences: Zip your lip about the surprise! / She told me to zip my lip about the news.
Other Way to Say: Keep quiet / Don’t tell
51. On the fence
Meaning: Not sure what to do about a friend or situation.
Sample Sentences: I’m on the fence about going to the party. / She was on the fence about telling her secret.
Other Way to Say: Unsure / Can’t decide
52. Bend over backwards
Meaning: Try very hard to help or please a friend.
Sample Sentences: He bent over backwards to make sure I was okay. / Good friends bend over backwards for each other.
Other Way to Say: Try hard / Help a lot
53. Cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore or not be friendly to a friend.
Sample Sentences: She gave me the cold shoulder after the fight. / Don’t give your friends the cold shoulder.
Other Way to Say: Ignore / Avoid
54. On the same wavelength
Meaning: Think the same way as a friend.
Sample Sentences: We’re on the same wavelength about the game. / It’s easy to talk because we’re on the same wavelength.
Other Way to Say: Think alike / Understand each other
55. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation or friendship easily.
Sample Sentences: I told a joke to break the ice with new classmates. / She broke the ice by smiling first.
Other Way to Say: Start talking / Make friends
Multiple Choice Quiz: Idioms for Friends
1. What does “a friend in need is a friend indeed” mean?
A) A friend who likes snacks
B) A true friend helps when you need it
C) A friend who plays games
2. If two people are “joined at the hip,” what are they like?
A) They argue a lot
B) They are never apart
C) They sit in different classes
3. What does “two peas in a pod” mean?
A) They grow vegetables together
B) They are very different
C) They are very similar
4. When you “hit it off” with someone, what happens?
A) You get into a fight
B) You become friends quickly
C) You stop talking
5. What is a “fair-weather friend”?
A) A friend who is only around during good times
B) A friend who likes sunny days
C) A friend who plays sports
6. What does “shoulder to cry on” mean?
A) A friend who always cries
B) A friend who listens when you are sad
C) A friend who likes hugs
7. If you “bury the hatchet” with someone, what are you doing?
A) Hiding something
B) Starting a fight
C) Making peace and being friends again
8. What does “thick as thieves” mean?
A) Two people who don’t trust each other
B) Two people who are very close
C) Two people who are always quiet
9. What does it mean to “stick together”?
A) To never share things
B) To stay close and help each other
C) To play tag
10. What does “talk behind someone’s back” mean?
A) Say nice things in front of someone
B) Say nothing at all
C) Say mean things when the person isn’t there
11. If someone is your “ride or die,” what kind of friend are they?
A) A friend who likes bikes
B) A loyal friend who stays no matter what
C) A friend who always runs late
12. What does “click with someone” mean?
A) You don’t get along
B) You feel an instant friendship
C) You take pictures together
Answer Key
- B – A true friend helps when you need it.
- B – They are never apart.
- C – They are very similar.
- B – You become friends quickly.
- A – A friend who is only around during good times.
- B – A friend who listens when you are sad.
- C – Making peace and being friends again.
- B – Two people who are very close.
- B – To stay close and help each other.
- C – Say mean things when the person isn’t there.
- B – A loyal friend who stays no matter what.
- B – You feel an instant friendship.
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You know these idioms really well.
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms. Keep it up!
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Practice helps.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together. Try again and learn more!
Conclusion
Friends are an important part of life. Idioms about friendship help us describe those special bonds in fun and simple ways. Learning these phrases can make your speaking and writing more clear and interesting.
Now that you’ve explored these idioms and taken the quiz, you can better understand how people talk about friends. Keep listening and practicing, and soon, these idioms will feel easy to use.
