family expressions Flashcards
(Be the) Spitting Image
Have a strong resemblance, often familial.
Look at Madeleine. She’s the spitting image of her mother.
(Born) Out of Wedlock
Illegitimate, born to unmarried parents.
I was born out of wedlock and raised by a single mother.
Accident Of Birth
Luck in something due to family good fortune.
Yes, he became company vice-president when he was only 23, but that’s an accident of birth – his father is one of the major stockholders.
And His Mother
Anintensifierfor aninclusivenoun or phrase such aseveryone,everybody.
Everybody and his mother is going to be at the fireworks. Let’s watch the on television.
Big Brother
Government, viewed as an intrusive force in the lives of citizens; government spying.
Big Brother seems to grow more and more powerful as data about individuals is accumulated on social networks.
Blue Blood (adj.: blue-blooded)
Person of aristocratic background.
The blue bloods generally keep to themselves, but a charity dance is a good place to see them dress up.
Bob’s Your Uncle
The rest is easy; you’re almost finished.
Just enter the update code, register the new software, and Bob’s your uncle.
Father Figure
A mentor, a person who offers guidance.
After I joined the company, Frank was a father figure to me. He gave me lots of valuable advice.
Flesh and Blood
Blood relatives, close relatives.
When all is said and done, few people understand you like your own flesh and blood, even if you don’t get along with them.
Helicopter Parenting
Overattentive child-raising.
The trend these days is toward helicopter parenting. When I was young children had much more independence, and I think it helped them.
Kith and Kin
Family (collectively)
When you go on a trip, it’s important to buy souvenirs for your kith and kin back home.
Like Father, Like Son
Sons inherit their fathers’ traits and preferences, often even without realizing it.
John was a great fisherman, and there’s his son Matt out on the water. Like father, like son.
Like Taking Candy from a Baby
Very easy.
Just watch. Getting her to go out with me will be like taking candy from a baby.
My Old Man, My Old Lady
My spouse.
I’d love to go to the mall with you, but I told my old man I’d go to the football game.
Pop the Question
Propose marriage.
I bought a ring, and I’m ready to pop the question to Patricia.
Run in the Family
Be inherited (as a trait) by multiple members of a family.
I’m not surprised Maria has started playing in a band. Musical talent runs in her family.
Small Fry
People or organizations with little influence; children.
We’re still small fry compared to the major companies in the field.
Spare The Rod And Spoil The Child
It is necessary to physically punish children in order to raise them right.
Marlena is to permissive with her children. Spare the rod and spoil the child, I say.
This Is Not Your Father’s
This item has been much updated from its earlier versions.
You may not have liked this bat in the past. But this is not your father’s Louisville Slugger.
