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.
put [someone's] nose out of joint
Make someone feel jealous or offended.
While taking part in a family gathering, the speaker highlighted “put [someone's] nose out of joint”, which means “Make someone feel jealous or offended”.
be [someone's] heart's desire
Be what someone wants most.
In a relationship-advice session, participants used “be [someone's] heart's desire” to communicate this idea: “Be what someone wants most”.
be two of a kind
Be very similar.
During a family gathering, the trainer referred to “be two of a kind”, a useful expression for the idea “Be very similar”.
two's company, three's a crowd
Two people prefer privacy; a third person is unwanted.
In a discussion between friends, participants used “two's company, three's a crowd” to communicate this idea: “Two people prefer privacy; a third person is unwanted”.
your own flesh and blood
Your relatives.
During a relationship-advice session, the trainer referred to “your own flesh and blood”, a useful expression for the idea “Your relatives”.
take a shine to [someone]
Immediately like someone.
In a family gathering, “take a shine to [someone]” was explained as an expression meaning “Immediately like someone”.
be your heart's desire
Be what you want most.
During a conversation about close relationships, the facilitator introduced “be your heart's desire”, an expression meaning “Be what you want most”.
self-made man
A person successful through hard work rather than family wealth.
In a conversation about close relationships, participants used “self-made man” to communicate this idea: “A person successful through hard work rather than family wealth”.
spick and span
Very clean and neat.
During a relationship-advice session, the facilitator introduced “spick and span”, an expression meaning “Very clean and neat”.
a twinkle in your father's eye
Someone not yet born; used humorously.
While taking part in a conversation about close relationships, the speaker highlighted “a twinkle in your father's eye”, which means “Someone not yet born; used humorously”.
fall for [someone/something] hook, line and sinker
Believe or accept something completely and naively.
In a family gathering, participants used “fall for [someone/something] hook, line and sinker” to communicate this idea: “Believe or accept something completely and naively”.
a love rat
A person, usually a man, who cheats on a partner.
In a family gathering, “a love rat” was explained as an expression meaning “A person, usually a man, who cheats on a partner”.
be a tower of strength
Be a person who gives strong support in hard times.
During a family gathering, the facilitator introduced “be a tower of strength”, an expression meaning “Be a person who gives strong support in hard times”.
blood, sweat and tears
A lot of hard work and effort.
In a discussion between friends, “blood, sweat and tears” was explained as an expression meaning “A lot of hard work and effort”.
be beyond the pale
Be completely unacceptable.
In a conversation about close relationships, “be beyond the pale” was explained as an expression meaning “Be completely unacceptable”.
a chip off the old block
A person very similar to a parent or older relative.
During a relationship-advice session, the facilitator introduced “a chip off the old block”, an expression meaning “A person very similar to a parent or older relative”.
live in each other's pockets
Spend too much time together.
During a discussion between friends, the facilitator introduced “live in each other's pockets”, an expression meaning “Spend too much time together”.
be like two peas in a pod
Be very similar.
While taking part in a discussion between friends, the speaker highlighted “be like two peas in a pod”, which means “Be very similar”.
an old flame
A former romantic partner.
In a discussion between friends, participants used “an old flame” to communicate this idea: “A former romantic partner”.
engulfed in flames
Completely covered by fire.
While taking part in a relationship-advice session, the speaker highlighted “engulfed in flames”, which means “Completely covered by fire”.
any friend of yours is a friend of mine
Your friends are welcome to be my friends too.
During a relationship-advice session, the trainer referred to “any friend of yours is a friend of mine”, a useful expression for the idea “Your friends are welcome to be my friends too”.
live in a dream world
Have unrealistic hopes or beliefs.
During a conversation about close relationships, the trainer referred to “live in a dream world”, a useful expression for the idea “Have unrealistic hopes or beliefs”.
the course of true love never did run smooth
Romantic relationships always have difficulties.
While taking part in a conversation about close relationships, the speaker highlighted “the course of true love never did run smooth”, which means “Romantic relationships always have difficulties”.
necessity is the mother of invention
Need makes people find new solutions.
In a relationship-advice session, “necessity is the mother of invention” was explained as an expression meaning “Need makes people find new solutions”.
[silent/sleeping] partner
A business partner who does not manage the business actively.
During a discussion between friends, the trainer referred to “[silent/sleeping] partner”, a useful expression for the idea “A business partner who does not manage the business actively”.