Idioms about people

34 idioms about people with what each one means. Tap one for its origin, examples and a quick check.

A chip off the old block
A chip off the old block is someone who is very like their parent in personality, talent or behavior.
A fool and his money are soon parted
A fool and his money are soon parted means careless or foolish people quickly lose or waste their money.
Bend over backwards
If you bend over backwards, you try extremely hard to help or please someone, often more than you have to.
Beyond the pale
If behavior is beyond the pale, it is so rude, shocking or unfair that most people find it completely unacceptable.
Big cheese
The big cheese is the most important or powerful person in a group or organization, such as the boss.
Birds of a feather flock together
Birds of a feather flock together means people who are alike, with similar interests or habits, tend to spend time together.
Blue blood
A blue blood is a person from a noble, aristocratic or very old and wealthy family.
Break the ice
To break the ice is to say or do something that eases tension and helps people start talking, especially when they first meet.
Break the mold
To break the mold is to do something in a new and different way, unlike anything done before.
Bull in a china shop
A bull in a china shop is a person who is very clumsy or careless, either with objects or in a delicate situation.
Dead ringer
A dead ringer is a person or thing that looks almost exactly like someone or something else.
Don't judge a book by its cover
Don't judge a book by its cover means you should not form an opinion of someone or something based only on how it looks.
Down to earth
A down-to-earth person is practical, sensible and friendly, without acting proud or putting on airs.
Fish out of water
A fish out of water is someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable because they are in a new or unfamiliar place or situation.
Go against the grain
To go against the grain is to do something different from what is normal or expected, or something that feels wrong to you.
Head in the clouds
Someone with their head in the clouds is daydreaming, not paying attention, or full of ideas that are not practical.
Heart of gold
Someone with a heart of gold is very kind, generous and caring, always ready to help other people.
In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same difficult or unpleasant situation.
Jack of all trades
A jack of all trades is a person who can do many different kinds of work or tasks reasonably well.
Jump on the bandwagon
To jump on the bandwagon is to join an activity, trend or opinion because it has become popular or successful.
Laughing stock
A laughing stock is a person or group that everyone laughs at or makes fun of, often because of something foolish.
Over the top
Something over the top is excessive or exaggerated, going far beyond what is normal, sensible or needed.
Pot calling the kettle black
The pot calling the kettle black describes someone criticizing another person for a fault they have themselves.
Speak of the devil
People say speak of the devil when someone they were just talking about suddenly appears or calls.
Spitting image
If someone is the spitting image of another person, they look exactly like that person.
Stick-in-the-mud
A stick-in-the-mud is a person who is dull, old-fashioned or unwilling to try new things or join in the fun.
Stir the pot
To stir the pot is to cause trouble or arguments on purpose, often by saying something that gets people upset or excited.
The cat's pajamas
The cat's pajamas is old-fashioned slang for a person or thing that is excellent, stylish or the very best.
The more the merrier
The more the merrier means that more people will make an event or activity more fun, so others are welcome to join.
Toe the line
To toe the line is to follow the rules or do what a group or person in charge expects, even if you don't fully agree.
Tough cookie
A tough cookie is a strong, determined person who handles hard situations without giving up.
Two peas in a pod
Two people who are like two peas in a pod look or act very much alike.
Wet behind the ears
Someone wet behind the ears is young, new or inexperienced, and may not yet understand how things really work.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do means that when you are in a new place or group, you should follow the local customs.

Idioms about people

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