This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Relationships, Friends & Family. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
take a rain check
Refuse an invitation now but accept it later.
In a relationship-advice session, “take a rain check” was explained as an expression meaning “Refuse an invitation now but accept it later”.
see reason
Become sensible or reasonable.
In a discussion between friends, “see reason” was explained as an expression meaning “Become sensible or reasonable”.
for good reason
For a valid reason.
In a conversation about close relationships, participants used “for good reason” to communicate this idea: “For a valid reason”.
have your best interests at heart
Want what is best for you.
While taking part in a conversation about close relationships, the speaker highlighted “have your best interests at heart”, which means “Want what is best for you”.
spirit of adventure
Enthusiasm for adventurous activities.
During a conversation about close relationships, the trainer referred to “spirit of adventure”, a useful expression for the idea “Enthusiasm for adventurous activities”.
get on like a house on fire
Become friends quickly and get along extremely well.
During a discussion between friends, the trainer referred to “get on like a house on fire”, a useful expression for the idea “Become friends quickly and get along extremely well”.
not be your bag
Not be something that interests you.
In a conversation about close relationships, “not be your bag” was explained as an expression meaning “Not be something that interests you”.
make your blood boil
Make you extremely angry.
In a discussion between friends, participants used “make your blood boil” to communicate this idea: “Make you extremely angry”.
the spitting image
A person who looks exactly like someone else.
While taking part in a family gathering, the speaker highlighted “the spitting image”, which means “A person who looks exactly like someone else”.
sleeping partner
A business partner who does not manage the business actively.
In a family gathering, participants used “sleeping partner” to communicate this idea: “A business partner who does not manage the business actively”.
after your own heart
Sharing your own opinions, tastes or values.
In a relationship-advice session, “after your own heart” was explained as an expression meaning “Sharing your own opinions, tastes or values”.
nearest and dearest
Your close family and loved ones.
During a relationship-advice session, the trainer referred to “nearest and dearest”, a useful expression for the idea “Your close family and loved ones”.
have a heart
Show kindness or sympathy.
In a family gathering, “have a heart” was explained as an expression meaning “Show kindness or sympathy”.
go back a long way
Have known each other for a long time.
During a relationship-advice session, the facilitator introduced “go back a long way”, an expression meaning “Have known each other for a long time”.
through thick and thin
Through good times and bad.
In a conversation about close relationships, participants used “through thick and thin” to communicate this idea: “Through good times and bad”.
run in the family
Be common among members of a family.
During a conversation about close relationships, the facilitator introduced “run in the family”, an expression meaning “Be common among members of a family”.
no hard feelings
No remaining anger or resentment.
During a family gathering, the facilitator introduced “no hard feelings”, an expression meaning “No remaining anger or resentment”.
fly the nest
Leave home to live independently.
While taking part in a family gathering, the speaker highlighted “fly the nest”, which means “Leave home to live independently”.
prince Charming
The ideal romantic partner.
During a family gathering, the trainer referred to “prince Charming”, a useful expression for the idea “The ideal romantic partner”.
tie the knot
Get married.
During a discussion between friends, the trainer referred to “tie the knot”, a useful expression for the idea “Get married”.
silent partner
A business partner who does not manage the business actively.
While taking part in a relationship-advice session, the speaker highlighted “silent partner”, which means “A business partner who does not manage the business actively”.
not have the heart to
Not be able to do something because you feel too sorry.
In a relationship-advice session, participants used “not have the heart to” to communicate this idea: “Not be able to do something because you feel too sorry”.
not be your thing
Not be something that interests you.
While taking part in a discussion between friends, the speaker highlighted “not be your thing”, which means “Not be something that interests you”.
a fair-weather friend
A friend only when things are going well.
During a discussion between friends, the facilitator introduced “a fair-weather friend”, an expression meaning “A friend only when things are going well”.
stark naked
Completely naked.
During a discussion between friends, the facilitator introduced “stark naked”, an expression meaning “Completely naked”.