Idioms are vibrant, expressive phrases that add a splash of color to our conversations, making them more engaging and meaningful. These figurative expressions often carry deeper meanings than their literal words, allowing us to convey emotions, experiences, and connections in a creative and memorable way. When it comes to describing a best friend—someone who shares your laughter, supports you through challenges, and stands by your side no matter what—idioms can beautifully capture the essence of that unique bond. For anyone looking to celebrate their closest companion, learning idioms about friendship can deepen your appreciation for this special relationship and enhance your ability to express it. These phrases, rooted in everyday language, are not only fun to use but also help strengthen communication by adding warmth and relatability. In this article, we’ll explore 45 idioms that perfectly describe a best friend, their meanings, and how to use them in heartfelt sentences. Plus, we’ll include a practical exercise to help you practice these idioms and make them a natural part of your vocabulary. Let’s dive into the wonderful world of idioms for best friends!
Idioms for Best Friend
1. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Extremely close or loyal friends who share everything.
In a Sentence: Ever since we met in elementary school, Sarah and I have been thick as thieves, always planning adventures and sharing our deepest secrets.
Other Ways to Say: Inseparable, Super close
2. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar and get along perfectly.
In a Sentence: Whenever you see Emma and Liam laughing together over the same silly jokes, you can tell they’re two peas in a pod.
Other Ways to Say: Like twins, Perfect match
3. Ride or die
Meaning: A friend who is loyal and supportive through any situation.
In a Sentence: No matter how tough things get, I know I can count on Jake because he’s my ride or die, always there to back me up.
Other Ways to Say: Loyal to the end, True friend
4. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Supporting each other in good times and bad.
In a Sentence: Mia and I have been through thick and thin, from celebrating her graduation to comforting each other during tough family moments.
Other Ways to Say: In good times and bad, Always there
5. Birds of a feather
Meaning: People who share similar interests or traits.
In a Sentence: Since we both love hiking and sci-fi movies, it’s no surprise that Alex and I are birds of a feather who always have fun together.
Other Ways to Say: Kindred spirits, Similar souls
6. Joined at the hip
Meaning: Inseparable friends who are always together.
In a Sentence: You’ll rarely see Sophie without Chloe—they’re joined at the hip, always hanging out at each other’s houses or texting nonstop.
Other Ways to Say: Always together, Inseparable
7. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: A friend who offers emotional support during tough times.
In a Sentence: When I was heartbroken over my breakup, Olivia was there as a shoulder to cry on, listening patiently and offering kind words.
Other Ways to Say: Emotional support, Comforting friend
8. Hit it off
Meaning: To quickly become good friends.
In a Sentence: From the moment we met at summer camp, Lucas and I hit it off, bonding over our love for music and late-night campfire chats.
Other Ways to Say: Click instantly, Get along well
9. In the same boat
Meaning: Sharing the same situation or challenges.
In a Sentence: When we both failed our math test, Hannah and I realized we were in the same boat and decided to study together to improve.
Other Ways to Say: In the same situation, Facing the same challenge
10. Go way back
Meaning: To have been friends for a long time.
In a Sentence: Ethan and I go way back to our preschool days, when we used to build block towers and share our favorite snacks.
Other Ways to Say: Longtime friends, Known each other forever
11. Keep it real
Meaning: To be honest and genuine with each other.
In a Sentence: What I love about Ava is that she always keeps it real, telling me the truth even when it’s hard to hear.
Other Ways to Say: Stay honest, Be authentic
12. Got your back
Meaning: To support or protect someone in any situation.
In a Sentence: When I was nervous about my speech, Noah promised he’s got my back, cheering me on from the front row.
Other Ways to Say: Support you, Stand by you
13. On the same wavelength
Meaning: Thinking and feeling similarly, understanding each other easily.
In a Sentence: Zoe and I are always on the same wavelength, finishing each other’s sentences and knowing exactly how the other feels.
Other Ways to Say: In sync, Like-minded
14. Spill the tea
Meaning: To share gossip or secrets.
In a Sentence: After school, Lily and I love to spill the tea about what’s been happening with our classmates and teachers.
Other Ways to Say: Share gossip, Dish the dirt
15. A friend in need is a friend indeed
Meaning: A true friend helps when you’re in trouble.
In a Sentence: When I lost my wallet, Ryan lent me money without hesitation, proving that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
Other Ways to Say: True friend, Reliable pal
16. Burn bridges
Meaning: To ruin a relationship, often irreparably.
In a Sentence: Even after our argument, I refused to burn bridges with Maya because our friendship means too much to me.
Other Ways to Say: End a friendship, Cut ties
17. Keep your chin up
Meaning: To encourage someone to stay positive.
In a Sentence: When I was upset about not making the team, Isabella told me to keep my chin up and try again next year.
Other Ways to Say: Stay strong, Don’t give up
18. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: To accidentally reveal a secret.
In a Sentence: I was planning a surprise party for Sophia, but James let the cat out of the bag when he mentioned it in class.
Other Ways to Say: Spill the beans, Give away the secret
19. Go the extra mile
Meaning: To make an extra effort for someone.
In a Sentence: When I was sick, Dylan went the extra mile by bringing me soup and helping me catch up on schoolwork.
Other Ways to Say: Do more than expected, Put in extra effort
20. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy or excited.
In a Sentence: When we both got accepted to the same summer program, Ella and I were on cloud nine for weeks.
Other Ways to Say: Over the moon, Thrilled
21. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To tease or joke with someone.
In a Sentence: When Caleb said he saw a UFO, I knew he was pulling my leg just to make me laugh.
Other Ways to Say: Joke around, Kid someone
22. The ball is in your court
Meaning: It’s up to you to make a decision or take action.
In a Sentence: I apologized to Harper for our misunderstanding, and now the ball is in her court to decide if we can move forward.
Other Ways to Say: It’s your move, Up to you
23. A blessing in disguise
Meaning: Something that seems bad but turns out to be good.
In a Sentence: Missing the concert was a blessing in disguise because Mason and I ended up having a fun night watching movies instead.
Other Ways to Say: Hidden benefit, Unexpectedly good
24. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning: To join in on something popular.
In a Sentence: When everyone started using the new app, Mia and I jumped on the bandwagon and tried it out together.
Other Ways to Say: Follow the trend, Join in
25. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning: To describe something perfectly or accurately.
In a Sentence: When Liam said I was stressed because of exams, he hit the nail on the head, and we talked it out.
Other Ways to Say: Got it right, Nailed it
26. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling unwell or down.
In a Sentence: When I was feeling under the weather, Sophie brought me my favorite snacks to cheer me up.
Other Ways to Say: Feeling sick, Not oneself
27. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To face a difficult situation bravely.
In a Sentence: I was nervous about apologizing to Ava, but I decided to bite the bullet and talk to her face-to-face.
Other Ways to Say: Face it, Get it over with
28. Don’t cry over spilled milk
Meaning: Don’t dwell on past mistakes.
In a Sentence: When I forgot our plans, Noah told me not to cry over spilled milk and suggested we hang out the next day.
Other Ways to Say: Let it go, Move on
29. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning: To make a situation worse.
In a Sentence: When we were arguing, Chloe’s harsh words only added fuel to the fire, making our disagreement even bigger.
Other Ways to Say: Make it worse, Escalate things
30. Keep an eye on
Meaning: To watch or look after someone or something.
In a Sentence: I asked Lucas to keep an eye on my backpack while I ran to grab a drink during our study session.
Other Ways to Say: Watch over, Look after
31. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning: To accomplish two things with one action.
In a Sentence: By carpooling to the mall with Emma, we saved gas and had time to catch up, killing two birds with one stone.
Other Ways to Say: Be efficient, Do two things at once
32. A penny for your thoughts
Meaning: Asking someone what they’re thinking about.
In a Sentence: When I noticed Zoe looking distracted, I said, “A penny for your thoughts?” and she opened up about her worries.
Other Ways to Say: What’s on your mind? Tell me what you’re thinking
33. Cold feet
Meaning: Feeling nervous or hesitant about something.
In a Sentence: I got cold feet about performing in the talent show, but Mason encouraged me to go for it.
Other Ways to Say: Feel nervous, Have second thoughts
34. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning: To avoid bringing up old issues to prevent trouble.
In a Sentence: We had a fight last month, but Lily and I agreed to let sleeping dogs lie and focus on our friendship now.
Other Ways to Say: Leave it alone, Don’t stir things up
35. Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: To overreact to a small problem.
In a Sentence: When I was upset about a tiny scratch on my phone, Ethan told me not to make a mountain out of a molehill.
Other Ways to Say: Blow things out of proportion, Overreact
36. Take a rain check
Meaning: To politely decline or postpone an invitation.
In a Sentence: I was too tired to join Sophia for a movie, so I asked if I could take a rain check for next weekend.
Other Ways to Say: Postpone, Reschedule
37. Throw in the towel
Meaning: To give up or admit defeat.
In a Sentence: Even though the game was tough, Harper refused to throw in the towel and kept cheering our team on.
Other Ways to Say: Quit, Surrender
38. Break the ice
Meaning: To start a conversation in a relaxed way.
In a Sentence: At the new school, Caleb broke the ice with me by asking about my favorite video game, and we became fast friends.
Other Ways to Say: Start a conversation, Make things less awkward
39. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up late working or helping someone.
In a Sentence: When I was struggling with my essay, Ava burned the midnight oil with me, helping me revise until it was perfect.
Other Ways to Say: Stay up late, Pull an all-nighter
40. Bark up the wrong tree
Meaning: To make a wrong assumption about someone.
In a Sentence: If you think I’m mad at you, you’re barking up the wrong tree—Liam’s the one who’s upset!
Other Ways to Say: Be mistaken, Get it wrong
41. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Something very expensive.
In a Sentence: When we planned a group trip, Zoe warned that the fancy restaurant would cost an arm and a leg, so we chose a cheaper spot.
Other Ways to Say: Super pricey, Costs a fortune
42. Hit the ground running
Meaning: To start something with enthusiasm and energy.
In a Sentence: When we started our volunteer project, Isabella hit the ground running, organizing everything with excitement.
Other Ways to Say: Dive in, Get started quickly
43. Beat around the bush
Meaning: To avoid saying something directly.
In a Sentence: Instead of beating around the bush, Noah told me straight up that he didn’t like my idea for the group project.
Other Ways to Say: Be indirect, Avoid the point
44. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: To take on more than you can handle.
In a Sentence: I bit off more than I could chew by promising to help Sophie with her project while finishing my own.
Other Ways to Say: Overcommit, Take on too much
45. A dime a dozen
Meaning: Something common and not unique.
In a Sentence: Acquaintances are a dime a dozen, but a true best friend like Lucas is rare and irreplaceable.
Other Ways to Say: Common, Not special
Practical Exercise
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:
- When I was upset about failing my quiz, Mia told me not to cry over _______ milk and to focus on the next one.
- Lucas and I are so similar that people say we’re like _______ in a pod.
- When I was nervous about the school play, Emma was my _______ to cry on, helping me feel better.
- Zoe and I _______ it off the first day we met, talking for hours about our favorite books.
- Even though we had a disagreement, I decided to let _______ dogs lie and not bring it up again.
- When I was unsure about joining the club, Noah told me to _______ the bullet and give it a try.
- Helping me with my homework and driving me to school let Ava _______ two birds with one stone.
- When I got into my dream college, Liam and I were both on _______ nine with excitement.
- I asked Chloe to _______ an eye on my phone while I stepped out for a moment.
- Sophia always _______ it real, telling me honestly when I need to improve.
- When we planned the party, Ethan _______ the extra mile by decorating the entire room.
- I got _______ feet before asking my crush out, but Harper encouraged me to go for it.
- After forgetting the plans, I told Isabella I’d _______ a rain check for next weekend.
- When I thought Lily was upset with me, I was _______ up the wrong tree—it was someone else entirely.
- Planning the event together showed that Mason and I are always on the _______ wavelength.
Answers:
spilled, two peas, shoulder, hit, sleeping, bite, kill, cloud, keep, keeps, go, cold, take, barking, same
Conclusion
Idioms about best friends are a delightful way to celebrate the unique and irreplaceable bond you share with your closest companion. These phrases add warmth, humor, and depth to how you express your friendship, making conversations more lively and heartfelt. By incorporating these idioms into your daily speech, you can strengthen your connection with your best friend and make your interactions even more special. Practice using these expressions in real-life situations—whether you’re joking with your friend, supporting them through challenges, or simply sharing a moment of joy. Over time, these idioms will become a natural part of how you communicate, enriching your friendship and making every moment more memorable. Keep celebrating your best friend with these colorful phrases, and let language bring you even closer together!