Having a best friend means having someone who knows you well, supports you, and shares both good and bad moments with you.
English has many useful idioms that can describe this kind of friendship in a natural way.
Some idioms show strong friendship, while others describe trust, loyalty, or spending a lot of time together.
In this guide, you will learn 23 idioms for best friend with simple meanings, suitable situations, and real-life examples.
These expressions can help you sound more natural when talking about your closest friend in conversations, messages, social posts, and personal writing.
Quick Answer
Some useful idioms for a best friend include a shoulder to cry on, meaning someone who gives emotional support; through thick and thin, meaning staying loyal during good and bad times; joined at the hip, meaning two people who are almost always together; and a friend in need is a friend indeed, meaning a true friend helps when you need them most.
What Are Best Friend Idioms?
Best friend idioms are common English expressions used to describe close friendship, trust, loyalty, support, and companionship. They often have a meaning that is different from the literal words. For example, joined at the hip does not mean two people are physically joined. It means they spend a lot of time together and are very close.
Quick Overview
| # | Idiom | Short Meaning | Suitable Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A friend in need is a friend indeed | A true friend helps in trouble | Friendship, support |
| 2 | Through thick and thin | Stay loyal in good and bad times | Long-term friendship |
| 3 | A shoulder to cry on | Someone who offers emotional support | Difficult moments |
| 4 | Joined at the hip | Very close and always together | Close friends |
| 5 | Like two peas in a pod | Very similar or close | Best friends |
| 6 | Thick as thieves | Very close and trusting | Informal friendship |
| 7 | See eye to eye | Agree with each other | Conversations |
| 8 | Have someone’s back | Support or protect someone | Loyalty |
| 9 | Go way back | Have known someone for a long time | Old friendships |
| 10 | Know someone inside out | Know someone extremely well | Close friendship |
| 11 | In the same boat | Share the same situation | Shared problems |
| 12 | Make a long story short | Give the main point briefly | Storytelling |
| 13 | Hit it off | Become friendly quickly | New friendships |
| 14 | Get along like a house on fire | Become very friendly quickly | Strong connection |
| 15 | Birds of a feather flock together | Similar people often become friends | Shared interests |
| 16 | Keep in touch | Continue communicating | Friendship |
| 17 | See someone through | Support someone during difficulty | Hard times |
| 18 | Be there for someone | Offer support when needed | Emotional support |
| 19 | Go through fire and water | Face difficulties for someone | Strong loyalty |
| 20 | Heart of gold | Very kind and generous nature | Describing a friend |
| 21 | Have a soft spot for someone | Feel special affection for someone | Affection |
| 22 | A kindred spirit | Someone with similar feelings or interests | Deep connection |
| 23 | Share a bond | Have a strong connection | Close friendship |
23 Useful Idioms for Best Friend
1. A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed
Meaning: A true friend proves their friendship by helping you when you are in trouble.
When to Use: Use this idiom when talking about a friend who supports you during difficult times. It is often used to praise someone’s loyalty.
Examples:
- When I was sick, Sara brought my homework to me. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
- Ali stayed with me when everyone else left. He showed that a friend in need is a friend indeed.
2. Through Thick and Thin
Meaning: To remain loyal to someone during both good and bad times.
When to Use: Use it for a friendship that has lasted through problems, changes, or difficult periods.
Examples:
- My best friend has supported me through thick and thin.
- We have been together through thick and thin since primary school.
3. A Shoulder to Cry On
Meaning: A person who listens and gives emotional support when you are upset.
When to Use: Use this informal expression when someone needs comfort or someone to talk to.
Examples:
- Whenever I feel sad, my best friend is always a shoulder to cry on.
- After losing the competition, I needed a shoulder to cry on.
4. Joined at the Hip
Meaning: Two people who spend almost all their time together.
When to Use: This is an informal expression for very close friends. It can sometimes suggest that people are together too often.
Examples:
- Emma and Lily are joined at the hip at school.
- My brother and his best friend are joined at the hip during holidays.
5. Like Two Peas in a Pod
Meaning: Two people who are very similar or very close.
When to Use: Use it when two friends share similar personalities, interests, or habits.
Examples:
- My best friend and I are like two peas in a pod.
- The two girls are like two peas in a pod because they both love reading.
6. Thick as Thieves
Meaning: Very close and friendly with each other.
When to Use: This is an informal idiom. Use it in casual conversation when describing close friends.
Examples:
- My cousins are thick as thieves.
- We became thick as thieves after spending one summer together.
7. See Eye to Eye
Meaning: To agree with someone about something.
When to Use: Use this idiom when you and your friend have the same opinion or understanding.
Examples:
- My best friend and I see eye to eye on most things.
- We do not always see eye to eye about which movie to watch.
8. Have Someone’s Back
Meaning: To support, defend, or help someone.
When to Use: This informal expression works well when talking about loyalty between friends.
Examples:
- I know my best friend has my back when things get difficult.
- Don’t worry about the presentation. I’ve got your back.
9. Go Way Back
Meaning: To have known someone for a long time.
When to Use: Use this casual phrase when explaining that a friendship began many years ago.
Examples:
- Ahmed and I go way back; we met in primary school.
- Those two friends go way back to their childhood.
10. Know Someone Inside Out
Meaning: To know someone extremely well.
When to Use: Use this idiom when you know a friend’s personality, habits, likes, and dislikes very well.
Examples:
- My best friend knows me inside out.
- I know my sister inside out, so I knew she would love the gift.
11. In the Same Boat
Meaning: To be in the same difficult or unusual situation as someone else.
When to Use: Use it when you and your friend are facing the same problem.
Examples:
- We both forgot our homework, so we were in the same boat.
- My best friend and I are in the same boat because we both need to prepare for the test.
12. Make a Long Story Short
Meaning: To give only the main points of a story instead of all the details.
When to Use: This is useful in casual storytelling when you want to reach the important part quickly.
Examples:
- To make a long story short, my best friend helped me find my lost phone.
- Long story short, we missed the bus but still arrived on time.
13. Hit It Off
Meaning: To become friendly with someone quickly because you like each other.
When to Use: Use it when describing the beginning of a friendship.
Examples:
- We hit it off when we first met at school.
- My best friend and I hit it off during our first group project.
14. Get Along Like a House on Fire
Meaning: To become friendly with someone very quickly and have a very good relationship.
When to Use: This is an informal idiom for people who quickly become comfortable and friendly with each other.
Examples:
- My new classmate and I got along like a house on fire.
- My best friend met my cousin yesterday, and they got along like a house on fire.
15. Birds of a Feather Flock Together
Meaning: People with similar interests, personalities, or habits often become friends.
When to Use: Use this proverb when explaining why two similar people are close.
Examples:
- We both love books, so birds of a feather flock together.
- They enjoy the same sports and music. Birds of a feather flock together.
16. Keep in Touch
Meaning: To continue communicating with someone.
When to Use: Use this common phrase when friends live far apart or cannot meet often.
Examples:
- My best friend moved away, but we keep in touch every day.
- We promised to keep in touch after leaving school.
17. See Someone Through
Meaning: To help or support someone until a difficult situation has ended.
When to Use: Use it when describing strong support during a challenging period.
Examples:
- My best friend saw me through a very difficult year.
- Her family saw her through the hard times.
18. Be There for Someone
Meaning: To support someone when they need help, comfort, or encouragement.
When to Use: This is a natural expression for close friendships and emotional support.
Examples:
- My best friend is always there for me.
- I promised to be there for her when she needed help.
19. Go Through Fire and Water
Meaning: To face serious difficulties or dangers for someone or something.
When to Use: Use this expression when describing strong determination or loyalty. It can sound dramatic, so it is usually better for strong situations rather than small problems.
Examples:
- She would go through fire and water to help her best friend.
- He proved that he would go through fire and water for his family.
20. Heart of Gold
Meaning: A very kind, caring, and generous character.
When to Use: Use it to praise a friend’s kindness.
Examples:
- My best friend has a heart of gold.
- Everyone likes Nadia because she has a heart of gold and always helps others.
21. Have a Soft Spot for Someone
Meaning: To have a special feeling of affection for someone.
When to Use: This can describe affection for a friend, family member, child, animal, or other person. It is not limited to romantic relationships.
Examples:
- I have a soft spot for my best friend because she helped me when I needed her.
- Our teacher has a soft spot for students who work hard.
22. A Kindred Spirit
Meaning: Someone whose interests, feelings, or way of thinking are similar to yours.
When to Use: Use it when you feel a deep connection with someone because you understand each other well.
Examples:
- When I met my best friend, I felt I had found a kindred spirit.
- We both love art and quiet places, so she feels like a kindred spirit.
23. Share a Bond
Meaning: To have a strong connection or relationship with someone.
When to Use: This expression works well when describing a close relationship. It can be used in both casual and more neutral writing.
Examples:
- My best friend and I share a strong bond.
- The two girls share a special bond because they have supported each other for years.
How to Use These Idioms Naturally
Idioms can make your English sound more natural, but using too many can make your writing feel forced. The key is to choose an expression that matches the situation.
Match the tone. Expressions such as thick as thieves, joined at the hip, and have someone’s back are informal. They work well in conversations, texts, and social media.
Some expressions are more neutral. Keep in touch, be there for someone, and share a bond can fit many everyday situations.
Do not use an idiom just because it contains the word “friend.” Look at its real meaning first. For example, in the same boat is about sharing a situation, not simply being close friends.
Also, remember that idioms are often fixed expressions. Do not change their words too much. For example, say through thick and thin, not “through thick and thick.”
Avoid using several idioms in one sentence. One well-chosen expression is often enough.
Finally, consider the audience. A phrase such as get along like a house on fire sounds natural in casual English but may not be the best choice for a formal school report.
Practice Exercise
Fill in each blank with the most suitable idiom from the list.
- My best friend always supports me during difficult times. She is ________.
- Hamza and I have known each other since childhood. We ________.
- My friend and I have very similar personalities. We are ________.
- I was upset after the exam, and my best friend was ________.
- My friend moved to another city, but we still ________ regularly.
Answer Key
- there for me
- go way back
- like two peas in a pod
- a shoulder to cry on
- keep in touch
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best idiom for a best friend?
Through thick and thin is one of the best choices when you want to show that a best friend stays loyal during both good and bad times.
What idiom means a very close friendship?
Thick as thieves, joined at the hip, and like two peas in a pod can describe very close friendships. Their exact use depends on the situation.
What idiom means a true friend helps you in trouble?
A friend in need is a friend indeed means that a person proves their true friendship by helping when you are facing trouble.
What idiom describes a friend who gives emotional support?
A shoulder to cry on describes someone who listens and gives comfort when you are upset or facing an emotional problem.
Can I use these idioms in formal writing?
Some can, but not all. Expressions such as share a bond and keep in touch are more neutral. Informal expressions such as thick as thieves and joined at the hip are better for casual writing and conversation.
Conclusion
The right idiom can make your English more expressive when you talk about your best friend.
Expressions such as through thick and thin, have someone’s back, a shoulder to cry on, and know someone inside out help describe trust, loyalty, support, and a strong connection.
Choose the idiom that matches your meaning and the situation. With regular practice, these expressions will become easier to use naturally.
Oliver Hayes is a passionate technology writer and digital marketing enthusiast with expertise in SEO, WordPress, blogging, and web development. He creates practical, well-researched content that helps readers learn new skills and stay updated with the latest trends in the digital world.