In the world of friendship, idioms for friendship serve as colorful expressions that not only enhance communication but also deepen our connections with others.
This article will explore some of the most popular idioms related to friendship, revealing their meanings and how they can be applied in everyday life.
By the end, you’ll be equipped with a treasure trove of phrases to express your appreciation and strengthen your bonds.
✅ The 25 Idioms for Friendship
1. A friend in need is a friend indeed
The meaning: True friends show their support in difficult times.
Origin: Dating back to at least the 12th century, this proverb emphasizes loyalty in hardship.
In a sentence:
- When I lost my job, Jane was there for me—truly a friend in need is a friend indeed.
- Remember, a friend in need is a friend indeed.
- He proved he’s a friend in need is a friend indeed by helping me through tough times.
Other Ways to Say:
- True friend
- Reliable companion
- Loyal ally
2. Birds of a feather flock together
The meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.
Origin: This phrase dates back to the 16th century and was popularized by Shakespeare.
In a sentence:
- They both love hiking; birds of a feather flock together.
- It’s no surprise they became friends—birds of a feather flock together.
- Birds of a feather flock together, so they spend most weekends together.
Other Ways to Say:
- Like attracts like
- Similar people stick together
- Kindred spirits
3. Thick as thieves
The meaning: Very close or inseparable friends.
Origin: The phrase appeared in 17th-century English literature, comparing close friends to conspirators.
In a sentence:
- Those two have been thick as thieves since childhood.
- They’re always together; they’re thick as thieves.
- My cousins are thick as thieves and share everything.
Other Ways to Say:
- Best buddies
- Close-knit
- Inseparable
4. Through thick and thin
The meaning: To support someone in good times and bad.
Origin: This idiom originated from hunting and military contexts in the 16th century.
In a sentence:
- They’ve been friends through thick and thin.
- I’ll stand by you through thick and thin.
- True friendship means being there through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say:
- In good times and bad
- Through ups and downs
- Unwavering support
5. To hit it off
The meaning: To become good friends quickly.
Origin: The phrase emerged in the early 20th century, implying immediate positive connection.
In a sentence:
- They met at the party and hit it off instantly.
- We hit it off on our first meeting.
- Those two really hit it off during the trip.
Other Ways to Say:
- Click
- Get along well
- Become fast friends
6. Fair-weather friend
The meaning: Someone who is only a friend during good times.
Origin: The term comes from sailing, where fair weather is good weather, implying unreliable friendship.
In a sentence:
- He realized she was a fair-weather friend after she disappeared during his crisis.
- Fair-weather friends are not dependable in tough times.
- Don’t rely on fair-weather friends.
Other Ways to Say:
- Unreliable friend
- Conditional friend
- Superficial friend
7. To bury the hatchet
The meaning: To make peace and stop arguing.
Origin: Comes from Native American practice of literally burying weapons to symbolize peace.
In a sentence:
- They finally buried the hatchet after years of disagreement.
- Let’s bury the hatchet and move forward.
- We decided to bury the hatchet and forget the past.
Other Ways to Say:
- Make peace
- Resolve differences
- End a feud
8. Birds of a feather
The meaning: People with similar interests tend to stick together.
Origin: Same as #2; sometimes shortened version used.
In a sentence:
- Birds of a feather tend to hang out together.
- They’re birds of a feather, always sharing hobbies.
- Birds of a feather flock together, as they say.
Other Ways to Say:
- Like attracts like
- Kindred spirits
- Similar souls
9. To hit the ground running
The meaning: To start a relationship or project with enthusiasm and energy.
Origin: Military origin referring to starting to run immediately after landing.
In a sentence:
- They hit the ground running and became best friends immediately.
- We hit the ground running during our first day together.
- She hit the ground running when she joined the group.
Other Ways to Say:
- Start strongly
- Begin enthusiastically
- Jump in
10. To break the ice
The meaning: To initiate conversation and overcome awkwardness.
Origin: Nautical origin describing breaking ice to allow passage.
In a sentence:
- He told a joke to break the ice at the party.
- Breaking the ice helped everyone feel comfortable.
- We broke the ice with a fun game.
Other Ways to Say:
- Start a conversation
- Warm up
- Ease tension
11. Joined at the hip
The meaning: Extremely close friends who spend a lot of time together.
Origin: Possibly from the close physical attachment implied by “joined at the hip.”
In a sentence:
- Those two are joined at the hip and do everything together.
- They’ve been joined at the hip since high school.
- My best friend and I are joined at the hip.
Other Ways to Say:
- Inseparable
- Close companions
- Best pals
12. To keep someone at arm’s length
The meaning: To avoid becoming too close to someone.
Origin: Literally keeping distance by the length of an arm.
In a sentence:
- She keeps new acquaintances at arm’s length.
- He tends to keep people at arm’s length emotionally.
- It’s hard to get close to him because he keeps everyone at arm’s length.
Other Ways to Say:
- Maintain distance
- Stay detached
- Be reserved
13. To go the extra mile
The meaning: To do more than what is expected, especially for a friend.
Origin: Biblical origin, meaning to go beyond what’s required.
In a sentence:
- She always goes the extra mile to help her friends.
- Good friends go the extra mile for each other.
- He went the extra mile to organize the surprise party.
Other Ways to Say:
- Exceed expectations
- Put in extra effort
- Go above and beyond
14. To rub someone the wrong way
The meaning: To annoy or irritate someone unintentionally.
Origin: Dating back to early 20th century, referring to irritation caused by friction.
In a sentence:
- Her blunt comments rubbed me the wrong way.
- Sometimes his attitude rubs people the wrong way.
- Try not to rub your friends the wrong way with harsh words.
Other Ways to Say:
- Annoy
- Irritate
- Offend
15. To bury the hatchet
The meaning: To reconcile and make peace.
Origin: Native American tradition of literally burying weapons.
In a sentence:
- They buried the hatchet after years of rivalry.
- Let’s bury the hatchet and move on.
- They finally buried the hatchet and became friends again.
Other Ways to Say:
- Make peace
- Resolve differences
- End a feud
16. To stick together
The meaning: To stay united and support each other.
Origin: Origin unclear; common phrase in English.
In a sentence:
- Friends should stick together in tough times.
- We stick together no matter what.
- They’ve stuck together through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say:
- Stay united
- Support each other
- Remain loyal
17. To hit the nail on the head
The meaning: To say something exactly right.
Origin: Comes from carpentry, hitting the nail’s head precisely.
In a sentence:
- Her comment really hit the nail on the head.
- You hit the nail on the head with that explanation.
- He hit the nail on the head about what’s wrong with their friendship.
Other Ways to Say:
- Be accurate
- Be precise
- Say exactly right
18. To see eye to eye
The meaning: To agree fully with someone.
Origin: Old English phrase indicating full agreement.
In a sentence:
- We see eye to eye on most issues.
- It’s important for friends to see eye to eye.
- They don’t always see eye to eye but respect each other.
Other Ways to Say:
- Agree
- Be in accord
- Have the same opinion
19. To break the ice
The meaning: To initiate friendly interaction.
Origin: Nautical origin—breaking ice to allow ships to pass.
In a sentence:
- She broke the ice by sharing a funny story.
- Breaking the ice made everyone comfortable.
- We played games to break the ice.
Other Ways to Say:
- Start conversation
- Warm up
- Ease tension
20. To get on like a house on fire
The meaning: To become good friends quickly and get along very well.
Origin: British English phrase from the 19th century.
In a sentence:
- They got on like a house on fire from the start.
- We got on like a house on fire during the trip.
- Those two really get on like a house on fire.
Other Ways to Say:
- Hit it off
- Become fast friends
- Click immediately
21. To know someone like the back of your hand
The meaning: To know someone very well.
Origin: Phrase indicates detailed familiarity, popular since the 19th century.
In a sentence:
- I know my best friend like the back of my hand.
- She knows her siblings like the back of her hand.
- They know each other like the back of their hands.
Other Ways to Say:
- Know intimately
- Be familiar with
- Know well
22. To have someone’s back
The meaning: To support or protect a friend.
Origin: Military origin, meaning to watch someone’s back.
In a sentence:
- I always have your back, no matter what.
- Good friends have each other’s backs.
- She knows I have her back in any situation.
Other Ways to Say:
- Support
- Protect
- Stand by
23. To hit the jackpot
The meaning:
To be very lucky in finding a good friend.
Origin: Gambling term meaning to win big.
In a sentence:
- I hit the jackpot when I met my best friend.
- Finding her was like hitting the jackpot.
- We hit the jackpot with this friendship.
Other Ways to Say:
- Strike gold
- Get lucky
- Find treasure
24. To be joined at the hip
The meaning: To be inseparable friends.
Origin: Refers to close physical connection; origin unclear.
In a sentence:
- Those two are joined at the hip and always together.
- We were joined at the hip throughout school.
- My best friend and I are practically joined at the hip.
Other Ways to Say:
- Inseparable
- Close as can be
- Best pals
25. To be there through thick and thin
The meaning: To stay loyal and supportive no matter what.
Origin: Old English phrase originally related to hunting and battle.
In a sentence:
- She’s been there through thick and thin in my life.
- Good friends are there through thick and thin.
- They promised to be there through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say:
- Unwavering loyalty
- Constant support
- Steadfast friendship
✅ 10 Practice Exercises on Idioms for Friendship (Fill in the Blanks)
Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms from the list above:
- After their fight, they finally __________ and started talking again.
- We __________ from the moment we met at college.
- My friend was __________ when I got my promotion.
- Let’s __________ and split the cost of dinner.
- He __________ when he forgot to call me back.
- My best friend and I always __________ on important things.
- They are a __________; you rarely see one without the other.
- She __________ when I told her the bad news.
- He told a joke to __________ at the party.
- They had a __________ over a misunderstanding last week.
Answer Key
- buried the hatchet
- hit it off
- on cloud nine
- go Dutch
- let her down
- see eye to eye
- joined at the hip
- broke her heart
- broke the ice
- falling out
Idioms for Friendship (Summary)
Now that you’ve learned these idioms for friendship, try using them in everyday conversations and writing.
The more you practice, the more natural they’ll become.
Keep exploring new idioms to level up your fluency and sound more like a native speaker.
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