Best friends are the people who make us laugh, help us when we’re sad, and stick with us no matter what. They know our favorite snacks, songs, and stories. Talking about these strong friendships can be tricky, but that’s where idioms help. Idioms are fun phrases that say more than just words. When we use idioms, we can describe how much we care about our friends in a special way.
Some idioms sound a little silly at first, but they have deep meanings. For example, calling someone a “partner in crime” doesn’t mean you broke a law it means you do everything together. In this article, we’ll look at 40 easy-to-understand idioms that describe best friends. These will help you talk about your friendships in new and fun ways. Ready to learn some cool phrases about close friends?
Idioms for Best Friends
1. Partners in crime
Meaning: Best friends who do everything together.
For Example: Sarah and I are partners in crime. We always play together at recess. / Jake and I are partners in crime when we play soccer.
Alternatively: We’re always in trouble together. / We always have fun together.
2. Thick as thieves
Meaning: Two people who are very close and share secrets.
For Example: Maya and Chloe are thick as thieves. They tell each other everything. / They’re as thick as thieves, always hanging out after school.
Alternatively: They’re best friends who never argue. / They always stick together.
3. Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Best friends who are very similar to each other.
For Example: Ben and Max are two peas in a pod. They like the same games. / Julie and I are two peas in a pod. We both love reading.
Alternatively: We always agree on everything. / They are alike in every way.
4. BFFs (Best Friends Forever)
Meaning: Friends who are very close and will stay friends forever.
For Example: Mia and Zoe are BFFs. They’ve been friends since kindergarten. / Ryan and I are BFFs; we never fight.
Alternatively: We’ll always be best friends. / They promise to be best friends for life.
5. Bosom buddies
Meaning: Very close friends who share their deepest feelings.
For Example: Lisa and Kate are bosom buddies. They talk about everything. / Mike and I are bosom buddies. He knows all my secrets.
Alternatively: We’re very close. / We share everything.
6. In the same boat
Meaning: Friends who are going through the same thing.
For Example: We’re in the same boat both of us have a big test tomorrow. / Me and Lily are in the same boat; we both have to clean our rooms.
Alternatively: We’re both dealing with the same thing. / We have the same problem.
7. Like peas in a pod
Meaning: Friends who are almost exactly alike.
For Example: Lily and Grace are like peas in a pod. They both love playing with dolls. / Emma and I are like peas in a pod; we both enjoy drawing.
Alternatively: We’re always on the same page. / They are almost twins.
8. Joined at the hip
Meaning: Friends who are always together and hardly ever apart.
For Example: Ella and Ava are joined at the hip. They do everything together. / Max and I are joined at the hip. We play video games every day.
Alternatively: We’re always hanging out together. / We never leave each other.
9. Bestie
Meaning: A short way to say “best friend.”
For Example: I’m meeting my bestie for lunch today. / Jamie is my bestie; we do everything together.
Alternatively: She’s my best friend. / We’re best friends forever.
10. Soulmates
Meaning: Two friends who are perfect for each other.
For Example: Anna and I are soulmates. We understand each other so well. / He’s my soulmate in friendship. We always know what the other is thinking.
Alternatively: We were meant to be friends. / We just get each other.
11. Like family
Meaning: Friends who are as important as family.
For Example: Dan is like family to me; we’re always there for each other. / She’s like family; we’ve known each other forever.
Alternatively: She’s like a sister to me. / We care about each other like family.
12. Close-knit
Meaning: A group of friends who are very close.
For Example: We have a close-knit group of friends. We do everything together. / The school club is a close-knit group, always helping each other.
Alternatively: We’re always together. / We stick together through thick and thin.
13. Ride or die
Meaning: A friend who will always be there for you, no matter what.
For Example: Rachel is my ride or die; she’ll always help me out. / Jake is my ride or die. We never leave each other’s side.
Alternatively: I can always count on her. / He’ll always be there when I need him.
14. Through thick and thin
Meaning: A friend who stays with you through both good and bad times.
For Example: Alex and I have been through thick and thin. We’ve never stopped being friends. / We stuck together through thick and thin, even when things were tough.
Alternatively: We’re always there for each other. / We never give up on each other.
15. Like a brother/sister
Meaning: A friend who feels like family.
For Example: Ryan’s like a brother to me. We’ve been friends since we were little. / Lily’s like my sister. We share everything.
Alternatively: He’s like family. / She’s just like a sibling to me.
16. My rock
Meaning: A friend who is very supportive and dependable.
For Example: Jen is my rock. She helps me when I’m feeling down. / My best friend is my rock; she always gives me good advice.
Alternatively: She’s always there when I need her. / He’s the person I can count on.
17. Best buds
Meaning: Another way to say best friends.
For Example: Ethan and I are best buds. We always hang out together. / Mia and I are best buds; we do everything together.
Alternatively: We’re best friends. / We’re always having fun.
18. Thick as blood
Meaning: Two friends who are so close, they feel like family.
For Example: Tim and I are thick as blood. We tell each other everything. / We’re thick as blood. We’re more like brothers than friends.
Alternatively: We’re closer than family. / We’re like family.
19. Pals
Meaning: A fun, friendly way to say friends.
For Example: Jack and I are pals. We love playing basketball together. / Emily and I are pals. We always hang out after school.
Alternatively: We’re good friends. / We do everything together.
20. On the same wavelength
Meaning: Friends who think the same way.
For Example: We’re always on the same wavelength, so we never argue. / Max and I are on the same wavelength when it comes to picking movies.
Alternatively: We think alike. / We always agree.
21. In it together
Meaning: Friends who face challenges as a team.
For Example: We’re in it together. We’ll finish the project no matter what. / Olivia and I are in it together. We both have to clean our rooms.
Alternatively: We’ll help each other. / We’re a team.
22. My go-to person
Meaning: A friend you can always turn to.
For Example: Sarah is my go-to person whenever I need help with homework. / Jake is my go-to person when I’m feeling sad.
Alternatively: She’s the first person I call. / He’s the one I turn to for advice.
23. Hand in hand
Meaning: Friends who are always together.
For Example: We go hand in hand when it’s time to play. / The two teams worked hand in hand to finish the project.
Alternatively: We’re always together. / We help each other.
24. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: A friend who is there for you when you’re sad.
For Example: Liz is always a shoulder to cry on when I’m upset. / Sarah is a great friend; she’s a shoulder to cry on.
Alternatively: She’s always there to listen. / He comforts me when I need it.
25. Peas in a pod
Meaning: Close friends who are always together.
For Example: Tom and I are peas in a pod; we never leave each other. / We’re like peas in a pod. We like the same things.
Alternatively: We’re always together. / We’re inseparable.
26. Like family
Meaning: A friend who is as important as a family member.
For Example: Max is like family to me. We’ve known each other for years. / My best friend is like family. We’ve always supported each other.
Alternatively: She’s my sister from another mother. / He’s like a brother to me.
27. Constant companion
Meaning: A friend who is always with you.
For Example: Mia is my constant companion. We’re always together at lunch. / Jake is my constant companion when we go to the park.
Alternatively: We’re always together. / We never leave each other’s side.
28. A friend to the end
Meaning: A friend who will always stick by you, no matter what.
For Example: Anna has been a friend to the end. She’s never let me down. / My friend Max is a friend to the end. We’ve been through everything together.
Alternatively: He’s always there for me. / She’ll never leave me.
29. Like a second family
Meaning: Friends who feel just like family.
For Example: My friends at school are like a second family to me. / Jake’s family is like a second family to me.
Alternatively: We’re that close. / They’re just like family.
30. One of a kind
Meaning: A friend who is very special and different from anyone else.
For Example: Sarah is one of a kind. She always knows how to make me laugh. / Tom is one of a kind. I’ve never met anyone like him.
Alternatively: He’s unique. / She’s irreplaceable.
31. Chums
Meaning: Another word for good friends.
For Example: Tim and I are chums; we’ve been friends since we were little. / Grace and I are chums. We have so much fun together.
Alternatively: We’re best friends. / We’re really close.
32. Forever friends
Meaning: Friends who will always be there for each other.
For Example: We promised to be forever friends when we graduated. / After all these years, we’re still forever friends.
Alternatively: We’ll never stop being friends. / We’ll always be there for each other.
33. My right hand
Meaning: A friend who is very helpful and always there.
For Example: Jenny is my right hand; she helps me with everything. / Ethan is my right hand when it comes to sports.
Alternatively: He’s my helper. / She’s always by my side.
34. Sidekick
Meaning: A friend who supports and helps you in everything.
For Example: Max is my sidekick. He’s always ready to help with my homework. / Mia is my sidekick at recess. We always play together.
Alternatively: He’s my partner in crime. / We do everything together.
35. Through and through
Meaning: A friend who is completely loyal and true.
For Example: Jenny is my friend through and through. She always has my back. / Max is my friend through and through. He never lets me down.
Alternatively: She’s always loyal. / He’s totally trustworthy.
36. A true blue friend
Meaning: A loyal and trustworthy friend.
For Example: Emma is a true blue friend. She’s always there when I need her. / Luke is a true blue friend; I can always count on him.
Alternatively: He’s always loyal. / She’s a friend I can trust.
37. A real gem
Meaning: A friend who is rare and special.
For Example: Chloe is a real gem. She’s always kind to everyone. / Max is a real gem. He’s the best friend I could ask for.
Alternatively: She’s one of a kind. / He’s a rare friend.
38. A friend like no other
Meaning: A friend who is unique and irreplaceable.
For Example: Emma is a friend like no other. I couldn’t imagine life without her. / Max is a friend like no other. He’s always there for me.
Alternatively: There’s no one else like her. / He’s irreplaceable.
39. Best friend in the world
Meaning: The best and most special friend you have.
For Example: Mia is my best friend in the world. We do everything together. / Max is my best friend in the world; I can’t imagine life without him.
Alternatively: He’s the best friend ever. / She’s the one I trust the most.
40. My person
Meaning: A friend who is your closest and most trusted companion.
For Example: Sarah is my person. She knows me better than anyone. / Tim is my person. We’ve been friends forever.
Alternatively: He’s the one I turn to. / She’s the one I always count on.
True/False Quiz: Idioms for Best Friends
- If someone says, “We’re partners in crime,” it means they do illegal things together.
True / False - “BFFs” means “best friends forever.”
True / False - If someone says, “We’re two peas in a pod,” it means they’re very different from each other.
True / False - “Bosom buddies” means friends who are always close and share secrets.
True / False - “Like family” means a friend is as important as a relative.
True / False - If a friend is your “rock,” it means they are always making you laugh.
True / False - “A shoulder to cry on” means someone who is there for you when you’re sad.
True / False - “Through thick and thin” means friends who only stay with you when things are easy.
True / False - “Best buds” means friends who are always close and share everything.
True / False - “Ride or die” means a friend who only supports you in good times, not bad.
True / False
Answer Key
- False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- False
- True
- False
- True
- False
Scoring Guide
- 10 Correct Answers: Best Friend Idioms Expert!
- 7–9 Correct Answers: You really get Idioms Nice work!
- 4–6 Correct Answers: You’re learning Keep going!
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s learn about Idioms together!
Conclusion
Friends make life brighter, and learning these idioms can help you express how much they mean to you. From “partners in crime” to “ride or die,” these phrases show that the best friendships are built on trust, laughter, and shared memories. Now that you know these idioms, you can use them to describe your closest friends in fun and meaningful ways. Whether you’re in school, playing with friends, or just hanging out, these idioms can help you talk about the special bond you share. Keep using these phrases, and soon they’ll be part of your everyday language!
