The Most Helpful Idioms With Meaning and Examples. Topic – Adoption

A chip off the old block: A child who resembles their parents in behavior.

• Example: “The way she handles problems, she’s a chip off the old block.”

Blood is thicker than water: Family bonds are stronger than other relationships.

• Example: “Even during disagreements, they stick together; blood is thicker than water.”

Bring up (or raise) as one’s own flesh and blood: To raise a child as if they were biological.

• Example: “She brought up her niece as her own flesh and blood after her sister’s passing.”

Children are like sponges: Children absorb information quickly.

• Example: “At a young age, children are like sponges, absorbing everything around them.”

Close-knit family: A family that is very close and supportive of each other.

• Example: “Their close-knit family always stands by each other’s side.”

Cut from the same cloth: Similar in behavior or character.

• Example: “The adopted siblings are cut from the same cloth, always bickering.”

Family ties: Bonds and connections within a family.

• Example: “He values family ties and spends holidays with relatives.”

Flesh and blood: Relatives or family members.

• Example: “He’s my flesh and blood, I’ll always support him.”

Like two peas in a pod: Very similar or close, like siblings or friends.

• Example: “The twins are like two peas in a pod; they’re inseparable.”

Make a family: To create a family through adoption or other means.

• Example: “They decided to make a family by adopting a child.”

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree: Children often resemble their parents in behavior.

• Example: “His son has a talent for music, just like him; the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”

Ties that bind: Strong connections or bonds, especially in a family.

• Example: “The ties that bind them together are unbreakable.”

Young at heart: Having a youthful spirit regardless of age.

• Example: “She’s young at heart and loves playing with her adopted grandchildren.”

To fit in like a glove: To be well-suited or to adapt perfectly.

• Example: “Despite being adopted, she fits into our family like a glove.”

Bridging the gap: Making connections or overcoming differences.

• Example: “Adopting her brought us closer, bridging the gap between our cultures.”

Born into: To be part of a family from birth.

• Example: “Although not born into our family, she’s our daughter through adoption.”

Blood relation: A biological relationship.

• Example: “Even though they are cousins, they have a strong blood relation.”

Came into the family: To join a family through adoption or marriage.

• Example: “He came into the family as a foster child and was later adopted.”

Family affair: Something involving or concerning the whole family.

• Example: “Planning the reunion became a family affair, involving everyone.”

In the same boat: In a similar situation as others.

• Example: “All adopted kids are in the same boat when it comes to questions about their origins.”

Joined at the hip: Inseparable or always together.

• Example: “Since their adoption, they’ve been joined at the hip, doing everything together.”

Not blood-related: Not related by blood or genetics.

• Example: “We’re not blood-related, but our bond is as strong as family.”

One big happy family: A harmonious and contented family.

• Example: “Despite being blended through adoption, they’re one big happy family.”

Part of the family: Accepted as a member of the family.

• Example: “He’s not blood-related, but he’s part of the family in every sense.”

The ties of kinship: Family connections or relationships.

• Example: “She values the ties of kinship and keeps in touch with distant relatives.”

Thicker than water: Very close or strong bonds, often within a family.

• Example: “Their love for each other is thicker than water, especially after adoption.”

To be on the same page: To have the same understanding or opinion.

• Example: “We’re on the same page about adopting a child.”

To make room for: To adjust or create space for someone or something.

• Example: “We made room for the new member when adopting our daughter.”

The apple of someone’s eye: Someone’s favorite or cherished person.

• Example: “Their adopted child is the apple of their eye.”

To strike a chord: To resonate emotionally or cause a reaction.

• Example: “Their story of adopting struck a chord with everyone.”

To take someone under one’s wing: To protect or care for someone.

• Example: “The couple took the orphaned child under their wing.”

To become part and parcel of something: To become an integral part of something.

• Example: “The adopted child became part and parcel of their lives instantly.”

To be bound by love: To have strong emotional ties.

• Example: “Although not related, they’re bound by love as a family.”

To be in someone’s corner: To support or advocate for someone.

• Example: “They’re always in their adopted daughter’s corner, no matter what.”

To be handpicked: To be carefully selected or chosen.

• Example: “Their adopted son was handpicked from many candidates.”

To be the spitting image of: To strongly resemble someone physically.

• Example: “Their adopted daughter is the spitting image of her birth mother.”

To grow into a family: To adapt and become part of a family over time.

• Example: “The foster child grew into the family, becoming an inseparable part.”

To lay down roots: To establish oneself or make a home in a particular place.

• Example: “They laid down roots in the neighborhood after adopting their child.”

To make someone’s own: To adopt or take someone into one’s family.

• Example: “They made the abandoned child their own.”

To take someone in under one’s wing: To offer support or protection to someone.

• Example: “The family took the troubled teen in under their wing.”

To welcome with open arms: To receive someone warmly and enthusiastically.

• Example: “They welcomed their adopted son with open arms.”

To be blood brothers/sisters: To have a deep bond as if related by blood.

• Example: “Although not related, they’re like blood brothers after growing up together.”

To grow the family tree: To expand or diversify the family.

• Example: “They’re planning to grow the family tree through adoption.”