Family idioms

Idioms are a fun thing to learn, and still better if you can associate them with images. That will help you remember them. In this post, you can find the idioms we worked with last week.

Be the black sheep of the family: the worst member of the family because they have bad reputation

Be the apple of you father's eye: also the apple of one's eye (Diana was the apple of John's eye, he adored her). If you're the apple of someone's eye, this person is extremely fond and proud of you.

Be as different as chalk and cheese: to be completely different. Americans use an idiom more similar to ours: "as different as night and day".

Follow in your father's /somebody's footsteps: to do the same jobs or the same things in your life as your father or someone else, especially a member of your family.

Be as alike as two peas in a pod: when people are very similar, especially in appearance.

Be tied to your mother's apron strings: it describes someone who is so used to his/her mother's care that cannot do anything on his/her own. It also means being very influenced by your mother.

While the cat's away, the mice will play: when there is no one in authority present (as parents, boss, teachers, etc.), peple will do whatever they want, especially breaking rules.

Be your mother's daughter: this means that you are very close to your mother, and you both are very similar.

Twist someone round your little finger: to manipulate and control someone.

Blood is thicker than water: family relationships are stronger and more important than any other kind of relationships.

Lastly, if you want to have some reading, listening, and vocabulary practice around a story based on an idiom, use this lesson by the British Council called Two Peas in a Pod. Click on "instructions" and "preparation" to know how to do the task, and a pre-reading activity. Maybe it's a bit above an intermediate level, but you can try with patience and effort. So don't worry if you find it difficult.

Enjoy!