This document contains definitions and examples of idioms and expressions related to family and friendship. Some key ones included are: 1) "A friend in need is a friend indeed" which means a true friend helps you when you really need help. 2) "A hedge between keeps friendship green" which means respecting each other's privacy helps a friendship flourish. 3) "Blood is thicker than water" which means family relationships are more important than other relationships.

1. V0cabulary, Idioms &
Expressions (VIE)
Family / Friendship

2. 26 March 2012
A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
A true friend is a person who will help you when
you really need help.
When Bill helped me with geometry, I really
learned the meaning of a friend in need is a
friend indeed.
A Hedge Between Keeps Friendship Green
Your friendship will flourish if you and your friend
respect each other's privacy.
Lynne and I are the best of friends, but we often
like to spend time apart. A hedge between
keeps friendship green.

3. 27 March 2012
Birds of A Feather
To say that two people are birds of a feather
means that they are very similar in many ways.
"Having come from the same background, the two
associates were birds of a feather."
Build Bridges
If a person builds bridges between opposing
groups, they help them to cooperate and
understand each other better.
"The mayor spent years trying to build bridges
between the different communities."

4. Fair-weather Friend 28 March 2012
Someone who acts as a friend when times are good,
and is not there when you are in trouble. Someone
who is only your friend when you are happy and
successful.
"I thought I could count on Bill, but I've discovered
he's just a fair-weather friend."
On The Same Wavelength
To say that two people are on the same wavelength
means that they understand each other well because
they share the same interests and opinions.
"I get on very well with Alice. We're always on the
same wavelength.”

5. Get On Like A House On Fire 29 March 2012
Two people who get on like a house on fire
have similar interests and quickly become
good friends.
"The two boys were in the same class and
got on like a house on fire."
Strike Up A Friendship
To become friends (with someone).
I struck up a friendship with John while
we were on a business trip together.

6. Fast Friends 30 March 2012
Good, loyal friends.
The two of them had been fast friends
since college.
Have Friends In High Places
To know important people who can help
you get what you want.
He has plenty of friends in high places
willing to support his career.

7. 2 April 2012
To Be As Thick As Thieves
Close friends who are very loyal to each other.
"Chris always takes Tom's side. They're as thick
as thieves."
Know Someone / Something Inside Out.
Knowing someone/something very well.
Sue and Anne have been friends since childhood.
They know each other inside out."

8. A Family Man 3 April 2012
A man who likes spending time with his wife and
children.
He was known as a devoted family man who was
closely involved in community life.
A Family That Prays Together Stays Together
Families who practise religion will endure
hardships together.
Mother believed that the family that prays
together stays together and insisted that we all
say prayers every night.

9. All In The Family 4 April 2012
Restricted to one's own family, as with private or
embarrassing information.
He did not tell anyone else about the problems in
order to keep it all in the family.
Black Sheep of The Family
Someone considered a bad person by the rest of
their family.
My cousin became the black sheep of the
family after he dropped out of school.

10. 9 April 2012
Blood Is Thicker Than Water
Family relationships are the most important.
I always side with my brother because blood is
thicker than water.
Like One of The Family
As if someone (or a pet) were a member of one's
family.
We treat our maid like one of the family so we
include her in family outings.

11. Run In The Family 10 April 2012
A lot of people in a family has a certain
quality.
Athletic ability certainly runs in the
family: his parents were both national
runners too.
Empty Nest Syndrome
The sad feelings parents have when their
children grow up and leave home.
She suffered from empty nest syndrome
after all her sons got married.