Idiom
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree means children usually turn out much like their parents in character, talents or habits.
How people use it
People say it when someone shows the same trait as a parent: a chef's daughter who loves cooking, or a son with his mother's quick temper. It can be a compliment or a criticism, depending on the trait. "Her dad was a great storyteller, and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." The tone is informal. People sometimes shorten it to "the apple doesn't fall far." It is usually about parents and children, though people sometimes stretch it to teachers and students.
Also said: the apple never falls far from the tree, the apple doesn't fall far.
Examples
- Maya's mom taught math, and now Maya has won the math contest; the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
- Like his father, Omar can't stop tinkering with engines. The apple never falls far from the tree.
- When the coach saw the new player's speed, he smiled and said the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Where it comes from
Apples drop close to the tree they grew on, which makes a simple picture of children staying close to their roots. Very similar proverbs exist in several European languages. English versions appear in the 1800s, and many sources suggest the saying was borrowed from German, where a nearly identical proverb is recorded earlier. The exact path into English is not certain.
Check yourself
1. What does the saying the apple doesn't fall far from the tree mean?
Answer: Children are often like their parents. The proverb says children tend to share their parents' traits.
2. Which situation fits the saying best?
Answer: A famous singer's son starts a band of his own. The saying fits a child who shares a parent's talent or habit.
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