20 English Idioms of Friendship

What kind of friend are you? Do you provide a shoulder to cry on when your mates have had a bad day? Do you always seem to be on the same wavelength as your pals? Do you get on like a house on fire with your relatives? Are you joined at the hip to your bestie [best friend]? What is your view on lending money to your chums? Do you tend to keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Do you hold grudges or do you prefer to bury the hatchet? Whether you have millions of buddies or a select group of close confidants, this handy list of 20 English idioms of friendship will help you understand common sayings and expressions in English about friendship!

[Click here to learn more about how to use idioms in teaching English.]

sby = somebody    sth = something

1. idiom: A friend [when you are] in need is a friend indeed.

literal meaning: A friend who helps you when you are in need is a true friend.

example: ‘My car broke down and I felt like crying, but I thought of calling Tom and he was with me in less than twenty minutes.’ ‘Wow! A friend in need really is a friend indeed!‘

2. idiom: Be a shoulder to cry on.

literal meaning: Be a person who will listen sympathetically to another person’s problems.

example: ‘What do you want me to advise?’ ‘I don’t want you to say anything! I just need a shoulder to cry on.’

3. idiom: You can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.

literal meaning: Make sure you choose your friends wisely, because you can’t choose your family.

example: ‘My sister just phoned me up to tell me she’s cancelling our evening out.’ ‘Well, come out with me and the girls. We’ll have a great time! Remember, you can choose your friends but you can’t choose your family.’

4. idiom: Have friends in high places.

literal meaning: Have friends who occupy positions of power, which could be useful for you.

example: ‘I really need some advice about a dispute with the town council about planning permission.’ ‘Have a word with Daniel – he has friends in high places. He’ll sort you out.’

5. idiom: Get on like a house on fire.

literal meaning: Have a really good time together.

example: Tamsin and her best mate Danni get on like a house on fire.

6. idiom: Be joined at the hip.

literal meaning: Spend all your time with the same person.

example: In fact, Tamsin and Danni are inseparable – especially during the school holidays. It’s like they’re joined at the hip!

7. idiom: Be a fair-weather friend / fan.

literal meaning: Be a friend only when things are going well.

example: ‘Where’s Tina? I thought she was coming to your court date.’ ‘I haven’t seen much of her lately. To be honest, she’s a bit of a fair-weather friend.’

8. idiom: To friendzone sby [regular verb].

literal meaning: Let sby know that you only want to be friends with them, not romantically involved.

example: ‘Hey – how did it go with Kasey? Did you ask her out?’ ‘Yeah, I did, but she straightaway friendzoned me! She said she likes me, but only as a friend.’ ‘Bad luck, mate.’

9. idiom: Be on the same wavelength / page.

literal meaning: Think the same about many issues and understand another person well.

example: ‘I think we should diversify the number of suppliers we have from next quarter.’ ‘I was just about to say the same thing, Ronald!’ ‘Good to know we’re on the same page.’

10. idiom: Hold a grudge [against sby].

literal meaning: Be unhappy with sby over a period of time, feeling hurt about something they did to you.

example: ‘No – there’s no way I’m inviting Deidre to the wedding. Remember how she ruined Jodie’s christening with her nasty comments and awful present!’ ‘ That was four years ago! You’re not still holding a grudge about that, are you?’

11. idiom: Bury the hatchet.

literal meaning: End a disagreement with sby.

example: ‘Actually, I reckon Deidre has cleaned up her act these days [become better behaved]. Why not bury the hatchet and give her a chance?’

12. idiom: Know sby inside out.

literal meaning: Know a person very well.

example: ‘Do you really think Kellie will break up with Steve during the holiday?’ ‘Mark my words, she will. Remember – I know her inside out.’

13. idiom: Lend your money, lose your friend.

literal meaning: Lending money to a friend could put the relationship in jeopardy, e.g. if they don’t pay you back.

example: Have you seen this email from Steve and his new girlfriend. They wanna borrow £500 from ten different friends so they can pay for Steve’s laser eye surgery.’ ‘You are joking, aren’t you? No chance! You know what they say – lend your money, lose your friend.’

14. idiom: Strike up a friendship.

literal meaning: Begin a new friendship.

example: ‘Our little Leon has struck up a lovely little friendship with a girl at pre-school. It’s so cute to see them playing together!’

15. idiom: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.

literal meaning: It can be beneficial to know the latest news about your enemies.

example: ‘Why do you still keep in touch with Dazza? He was so mean to you last year.’ ‘You know, it’s good to keep an eye on what he’s up to [doing]. I might learn something to my advantage. Y’know – keep your friends close and your enemies closer, an’ all that!’

16. idiom: The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

literal meaning: Anybody who hates the same people as me is my friend.

example: ‘I thought you said Ollie really let you down last week. Why include him in the team?’ ‘He did, but he absolutely hates the other side as much as I do. You know the saying – the enemy of my enemy is my friend.’

17. idiom: With friends like these, who needs enemies?

literal meaning: If your friends behave badly towards you, they are worse than your enemies.

example: ‘Do you know that not one of dad’s friends was available to pick him up from hospital!’ ‘With friends like those, who needs enemies?‘

18. idiom: I wouldn’t wish sth on my worst enemy.

literal meaning: This is a bad situation which even my worst enemy does not deserve.

example: ‘Are you still in a lot of pain?’ ‘Yes – it’s terrible. You know, I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy!‘

19. idiom: Man’s best friend.

literal meaning: Dogs.

example: ‘Wally the poodle is such a great companion for my grandfather. You can really see why dogs are called “man’s best friend“.’

20. idiom: What’s [a small amount of sth, e.g. money] between friends?

literal meaning: Because we are friends, a small outlay does not bother me.

example: ‘Jack – let me get the bill! I’m sure it’s my turn to pay.’ ‘No, Bernie. Absolutely not! It’s on me! [I will pay] What’s a little lunch between friends?‘

This material is completely  free to use, so please feel free to share it widely!

If you have any feedback about these free resources, we’d love to hear from you! Please leave a comment or review below or on Facebook or Twitter.

Image by fancycrave1 from Pixabay