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Relationships - Family

Master English idioms regarding family, like "born and bred" and "black sheep".

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English idioms related to Relationships
love child

a child who had parents that were not married to one another

Ex: The novel tells the story of a love child growing up in secret. 
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big mama
big mama
[noun]

a woman that is regarded as the one who provides for her family

Ex: After her husband passed away, she became the big mama of the family. 
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born on the wrong side of the blanket

used to refer to a child whose parents were not married at the time of birth

Ex: In those days, a child born on the wrong side of the blanket faced harsh judgment. 
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born and bred

used to refer to a place one was born or grew up in

Ex: She was born and bred in New York. 
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to [have] a bun in the oven

to be expecting a child

Ex: She has a bun in the oven. 
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to [wrap] {sb} (up|) in cotton wool

to protect or treat someone or something in an overly cautious or overprotective manner

Ex: His parents wrapped him in cotton wool his whole life. 
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pigeon pair

a specific sibling combination consisting of a boy and a girl, typically born consecutively in the same family

Ex: They were happy to have a pigeon pair. 
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{one's} (own|) flesh and blood

used to describe someone with whom one shares a family relation

Ex: He would do anything for his flesh and blood. 
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curtain lecture

a lecture or reprimand a wife gives to her husband in private

Ex: He dreaded the curtain lecture after every argument. 
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black sheep

someone who is regarded as shameful, embarrassing, or disgraceful within their family or group

Ex: He was considered the black sheep of the family. 
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chip off the old block

someone who closely resembles their parent, especially in terms of personality, traits, or behavior

Ex: He is a chip off the old block, just like his father. 
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to [cut] {sb} off with a (cent|penny)

to disinherit or withdraw financial support from a family member as a way to express disapproval or to enforce certain behaviors or decisions

Ex: His father threatened to cut him off with a cent if he didn't change his behavior. 
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Benjamin of the family

used to refer to the youngest child of a family

Ex: He is the Benjamin of the family. 
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from father to son

used to refer to the passing down of traditions, knowledge, values, or skills from one generation to the next, especially from a father to his son

Ex: The craft has been passed down from father to son. 
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