Friendship is one of the most meaningful parts of life. It brings joy, support, laughter, and someone to lean on during tough times. But how do we talk about such a powerful connection in fun, creative ways? That’s where idioms come in. Idioms are colorful phrases that don’t always mean what they seem, but they help us express feelings and ideas in a vivid and memorable way.
In this post, we’ll look at 48 amazing idioms that capture the heart and humor of friendship. Whether you want to describe a best friend, a fun moment, or the ups and downs of relationships, these expressions will give your words more color and emotion. Each idiom comes with its meaning, an example in a full sentence, and other ways to say it. Plus, there’s a practice exercise at the end to help you remember what you’ve learned. Let’s explore these friendship-inspired idioms together!
Idioms for Friendship
1. Joined at the hip
Meaning: To be very close and spend a lot of time together.
In a Sentence: Ever since they met in kindergarten, Emma and Zoe have been joined at the hip.
Other Ways to Say: Inseparable, Always together
2. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close friends who share secrets and trust each other deeply.
In a Sentence: My cousin and I are thick as thieves—we tell each other everything.
Other Ways to Say: Best friends, Trust each other completely
3. Birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People with similar interests and personalities tend to stick together.
In a Sentence: You’ll always find them hanging out—they’re birds of a feather who love art and music.
Other Ways to Say: Similar people stick together, Like-minded friends
4. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Staying together and supporting each other no matter what happens.
In a Sentence: We’ve stayed friends through thick and thin, even during the hardest times.
Other Ways to Say: Loyal always, Stick together no matter what
5. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who offers comfort and listens when you’re upset.
In a Sentence: After her breakup, Lily needed a shoulder to cry on, and Mia was there for her.
Other Ways to Say: Someone to talk to, Emotional support
6. Have each other’s backs
Meaning: To support and protect each other.
In a Sentence: No matter what happens, we always have each other’s backs like true friends should.
Other Ways to Say: Be there for someone, Look out for each other
7. Hit it off
Meaning: To get along well immediately when you first meet someone.
In a Sentence: We hit it off the moment we met at summer camp and became instant friends.
Other Ways to Say: Instantly connect, Click with someone
8. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar and always together.
In a Sentence: They’re like two peas in a pod—they think alike, dress alike, and laugh at the same jokes.
Other Ways to Say: Super alike, Soulmates in friendship
9. Fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone who is only around when things are going well.
In a Sentence: When I lost my job, I realized he was just a fair-weather friend who disappeared when things got hard.
Other Ways to Say: Unreliable friend, Not loyal
10. Get on like a house on fire
Meaning: To become good friends very quickly and easily.
In a Sentence: As soon as they started talking, they got on like a house on fire and couldn’t stop laughing.
Other Ways to Say: Instant besties, Hit it off fast
11. Be thick with someone
Meaning: To have a close friendship with someone.
In a Sentence: He’s thick with his neighbor—they’re always chatting and helping each other out.
Other Ways to Say: Be tight with, Be close friends
12. Build bridges
Meaning: To improve a relationship or connection with someone.
In a Sentence: After their fight, they worked hard to build bridges and be friends again.
Other Ways to Say: Reconnect, Mend the relationship
13. Patch things up
Meaning: To fix a broken friendship or relationship.
In a Sentence: They had a big argument, but they patched things up and are closer than ever.
Other Ways to Say: Make peace, Repair the friendship
14. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To make peace with someone after an argument or conflict.
In a Sentence: After years of not talking, they finally buried the hatchet and became friends again.
Other Ways to Say: Forgive each other, Let go of anger
15. Know someone inside out
Meaning: To know someone very well, including their habits, likes, and personality.
In a Sentence: We’ve been friends for so long that I know her inside out, from her favorite food to her biggest fears.
Other Ways to Say: Know everything about, Understand deeply
16. Like oil and water
Meaning: Two people who do not get along or mix well.
In a Sentence: They tried to be friends, but they’re like oil and water—completely different in every way.
Other Ways to Say: Total opposites, Don’t mix well
17. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe or understand something exactly right.
In a Sentence: When she said we need more time together, she really hit the nail on the head about our friendship issues.
Other Ways to Say: Got it exactly right, Nailed the point
18. Walk a mile in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To understand someone better by imagining what their life is like.
In a Sentence: Before judging your friend, try walking a mile in their shoes and see things from their side.
Other Ways to Say: Empathize, Understand their experience
19. Stick to your guns
Meaning: To stand by your beliefs or support your friend even under pressure.
In a Sentence: Even when others disagreed, she stuck to her guns and defended her friend.
Other Ways to Say: Stay loyal, Don’t back down
20. Bend over backwards
Meaning: To make a big effort to help or please someone.
In a Sentence: He bent over backwards to help his friend move into her new apartment.
Other Ways to Say: Go out of your way, Do everything you can
21. Be there through thick and thin
Meaning: To stand by someone no matter the situation.
In a Sentence: Real friends are the ones who are there through thick and thin, not just during the fun times.
Other Ways to Say: Always supportive, Stand by someone always
22. Like chalk and cheese
Meaning: Two people who are completely different.
In a Sentence: They’re best friends even though they’re like chalk and cheese—she’s quiet and he’s super outgoing.
Other Ways to Say: Total opposites, Very different
23. Hand in glove
Meaning: Working together closely and well, like a perfect match.
In a Sentence: They work hand in glove on every project—they just get each other.
Other Ways to Say: In sync, Perfect teamwork
24. Be someone’s rock
Meaning: To be someone’s main support in tough times.
In a Sentence: She was my rock when everything was falling apart, always calm and strong.
Other Ways to Say: Strong support, Dependable friend
25. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree completely or understand each other well.
In a Sentence: We don’t always see eye to eye, but we respect each other’s opinions.
Other Ways to Say: Agree, Be on the same page
26. A friend in need is a friend indeed
Meaning: A true friend helps you when you really need it.
In a Sentence: When I was sick, she brought me food and checked on me—proving that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Other Ways to Say: Loyal friend, Real support
27. Know someone like the back of your hand
Meaning: To know someone or something very well.
In a Sentence: I’ve known him since first grade—I know him like the back of my hand.
Other Ways to Say: Very familiar, Know completely
28. Be in someone’s corner
Meaning: To support and defend someone.
In a Sentence: No matter what happens, you can count on me to be in your corner.
Other Ways to Say: Stand by you, Defend you
29. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore or treat someone in an unfriendly way.
In a Sentence: I don’t know why she gave me the cold shoulder at the party—we were fine yesterday.
Other Ways to Say: Ignore, Be unfriendly
30. Rub someone the wrong way
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone without meaning to.
In a Sentence: I don’t know why, but his jokes always rub me the wrong way.
Other Ways to Say: Annoy, Bother
31. Keep someone at arm’s length
Meaning: To avoid being too close or emotionally involved.
In a Sentence: She keeps most people at arm’s length, but she opened up to her best friend.
Other Ways to Say: Stay distant, Avoid closeness
32. BFFs (Best Friends Forever)
Meaning: A slang term for very close and long-lasting friends.
In a Sentence: We’ve been BFFs since middle school—we even have matching bracelets.
Other Ways to Say: Besties, Forever friends
33. Spill your heart out
Meaning: To share deep feelings or secrets with someone.
In a Sentence: I spilled my heart out to my best friend, and she listened without judgment.
Other Ways to Say: Open up, Share your emotions
34. Hit a rough patch
Meaning: To go through a difficult time in a friendship or relationship.
In a Sentence: We hit a rough patch last year, but we worked through it and are stronger now.
Other Ways to Say: Face challenges, Have problems
35. Old friend
Meaning: A friend you’ve known for a long time.
In a Sentence: She’s an old friend—I’ve known her since we were in diapers.
Other Ways to Say: Longtime friend, Childhood buddy
36. Heart-to-heart
Meaning: A deep and honest conversation between close friends.
In a Sentence: We had a heart-to-heart about our misunderstandings and cleared the air.
Other Ways to Say: Honest talk, Deep chat
37. Bestie
Meaning: A casual, affectionate term for your best friend.
In a Sentence: My bestie knows everything about me—even my embarrassing stories.
Other Ways to Say: BFF, Close friend
38. Buddy-buddy
Meaning: To act overly friendly, sometimes in a way that others notice.
In a Sentence: They’ve been buddy-buddy ever since they worked on that group project.
Other Ways to Say: Friendly pals, Too chummy
39. Friend zone
Meaning: A situation where one person wants to date but the other only sees them as a friend.
In a Sentence: He confessed his feelings, but she said she only saw him in the friend zone.
Other Ways to Say: Just friends, Not romantic
40. Make fast friends
Meaning: To become very close friends quickly.
In a Sentence: We made fast friends during the school trip—it felt like we’d known each other forever.
Other Ways to Say: Bond quickly, Click instantly
41. Old soul connection
Meaning: A deep, timeless feeling of understanding between friends.
In a Sentence: Even though we just met, it feels like we have an old soul connection.
Other Ways to Say: Soul-level bond, Deep connection
42. Ride or die
Meaning: A friend who is loyal no matter what happens.
In a Sentence: She’s my ride or die—always there, even when things get messy.
Other Ways to Say: Loyal forever, Unshakable friend
43. Be like family
Meaning: To be so close that your friend feels like a family member.
In a Sentence: I grew up with her—she’s like family to me in every way.
Other Ways to Say: Chosen family, Closer than friends
44. Be on good terms
Meaning: To have a peaceful, friendly relationship.
In a Sentence: After the argument, we took time to heal and now we’re on good terms again.
Other Ways to Say: Get along, Be friendly
45. Put yourself in their shoes
Meaning: To try to understand someone’s point of view or feelings.
In a Sentence: Before reacting, put yourself in your friend’s shoes and think how they might feel.
Other Ways to Say: Show empathy, Understand them
46. Go way back
Meaning: To have known someone for a long time.
In a Sentence: We go way back—we even have photos together from preschool.
Other Ways to Say: Long history, Lifelong connection
47. No hard feelings
Meaning: To let go of anger or resentment after a disagreement.
In a Sentence: Even though we disagreed, there are no hard feelings—I still value our friendship.
Other Ways to Say: Forgive and move on, Let it go
48. The more, the merrier
Meaning: The idea that friends make everything more fun when there are more of them.
In a Sentence: I invited all our classmates to join because when it comes to friends, the more, the merrier!
Other Ways to Say: Everyone’s welcome, Bigger group = more fun
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:
- Even though we argued last week, we decided to _______ and move forward.
- We met at summer camp and became _______ friends by the second day.
- No matter what happens, she’s my _______—I can always count on her.
- They’re complete opposites, like _______ and cheese.
- When I told him my whole story, I really _______ my heart out.
- He didn’t want to get too close, so he kept everyone at _______ length.
- Even though we’re not related, my best friend is like _______ to me.
- After that rough patch, we had a long _______ and understood each other better.
- I was nervous at first, but we really _______ it off during the project.
- When it comes to birthday parties, the _______ the merrier!
Answers:
bury the hatchet, fast, ride or die, chalk, spilled, arm’s, family, heart-to-heart, hit, more
Conclusion
Friendship isn’t just about spending time together—it’s about understanding, loyalty, support, and fun. Idioms help us talk about all those feelings in a creative and meaningful way. From “joined at the hip” to “ride or die,” these expressions show just how powerful and beautiful friendship can be.
Try using these idioms when you talk or write about your friends. The more you practice, the more naturally they’ll become a part of how you express yourself. Whether you’re texting your bestie, journaling about your day, or just thinking about someone who’s always there for you, let these phrases add color to your words.
Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts—and now you’ve got 48 new ways to talk about it.
