Family Idioms | Baamboozle - Baamboozle | The Most Fun Classroom Games!

English 16 Public

Very commonly used family idioms

Study Slideshow

A parent who excessively controls and monitors their child's life.

Boat Parent

Airplane Parent

Taxi Parent

Helicopter parent

15

Many members of a family have the same physical attribute (red hair), quality, behavior, skill, interest, problem, disease, etc.

it sits in the family

it walks in the family

it jumps in the family

it runs in the family

15

Describes a trait, skill, or behavior that is a natural part of a person's character or personality. It is often "passed down" from one's parents or ancestors.

In (your, our, my, etc) brain

In (your, our, my, etc) eyes

In (your, our, my, etc) heart

In (your, our, my, etc) blood

15

Describes a strict or demanding mother who puts a lot of pressure on her children to excel academically and succeed in life, often through intense discipline and tough love.

Panther Mother

Leopard Mother

Lion Mother

Tiger Mother

15

To pursue the same career or path as one's parent, often with the intention of carrying on their legacy or continuing a family tradition.

Follow in your father’s/mother’s line

Follow in your father’s/mother’s trail

Follow in your father’s/mother’s footsteps

Follow in your father’s/mother’s stairs

15

Means family relationships and loyalties are stronger and more important than relationships with people outside of the family.

Blood is thicker than water

Blood is thicker than beer

Blood is thicker than wine

Blood is thicker than juice

15

Describes the person in a family who provides the main of income for the family.

the rice winner

the steak winner

the chicken winner

the bread winner

15

To earn money for a family to live on.

bring home the durian

bring home the bacon

bring home the rice

bring home the bread

15

To be born into a wealthy and privileged family.

To be born with a platinum spoon (in your mouth)

To be born with a silver spoon (in your mouth)

To be born with a daimond spoon (in your mouth)

To be born with a gold spoon (in your mouth)

15

Means a child usually has a similar character or similar qualities to his or her parents.

The peach doesn’t fall far from the bush

The peach doesn’t fly far from the tree

The orange doesn’t fall far from the tree

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree

15

Someone that looks very much like someone else. Most often used for family members.

The laughing image of someone

The kissing image of someone

The spitting image of someone

The crying image of someone

15

An expression that means sons tend to be be similar to their father's in personality, interests, and character.

Like sun, like son

Like father, like son

Like man, like boy

Like dad, like child

15

Someone's close relative like immediate family (parents, siblings, and children).

(my, your, his, etc) own flesh and blood

(my, your, his, etc) own sweat and tears

(my, your, his, etc) own brain and heart

(my, your, his, etc) own DNA and mitochondria

15

Someone who brings shame to the family by being too different or doing something wrong (from the familys' perspective).

The black dog of the family

The blue sheep of the family

The blue dog of the family

The black sheep of the family

15

To be similar in character, personality, or appearance to one of their parents or siblings.

Take against (him, her, my father, my mother, etc.)

Take on (him, her, my father, my mother, etc.)

Take over (him, her, my father, my mother, etc.)

Take after (him, her, my father, my mother, etc.)

15

Someone who makes that person extremely proud and happy. Mostly used for children.

(My, his, her, etc.) pride and joy

(My, his, her, etc.) delight and glee

(My, his, her, etc.) pride and power

(My, his, her, etc.) happiness and joy

15