30+ Phrases and expressions about friendship for English learners

A friend in need is a friend indeed – how often have you heard this idiom? It is one of the best expressions of friendship that describe your closest person. And, more important – one of the most truthful. Having a genuine friend by your side regarding the situation is a real treasure.

The English language is truly rich in beautiful quotes and metafors. Whether you want to describe your best buddy or send them a message about something – there are a lot of proverbs and idioms to choose from. And in this article, we collected the most exciting and pleasant friendship metaphors and expressions. So keep reading, if you don’t want to miss all the goods!

Expressions about friendship: words to describe a best friend 

A best friend is a person that is always here for you. You can laugh together and cry together, discuss your favorite TV shows, give and take pieces of advice, and have a lot of fun anytime you see each other. And there are many best friend analogies in English you can use to describe your comrade.

• A friend in need is a friend indeed

This phrase means that if a person helps you when you’re in trouble, they are really your friend. It comes from an old English proverb: “A friend is not known till he is needed.” And you should know that even though there are hundreds of friendship proverbs in English, this one remains the most widespread worldwide. For example:

I’m so grateful to my friend for helping me when I was in trouble. He is a real friend indeed.

• Bestie, BFF, soulmate

These three abbreviations stand for “best friend forever,” “best friend forever,” and “soulmate.” These friendship analogies are used informally between people to express their strong bond. For example:

I’ve been besties with Emily since we were five.

I’m so happy to have found my BFF – we just get each other!

• My other half

This phrase is often used to describe a spouse or romantic partner. But you can also use these metaphors for friendship with someone you feel very connected to. For example:

I don’t have any siblings, but my best friend is like a sister to me. She’s my other half.

• A friendship like no other

This expression is used to describe a very special and unique friendship. It’s the kind of friendship you will never forget and always be unique to you. For example:

My friendship with Sarah is like no other. We’ve been through so much together, and I know she will always be there for me.

• A friend at court

A friend at court is someone who has favor with those in power. This person may be able to help you out in times of need or get you access to influential people. For example: 

If I don’t get this job, I will ask Stanley for help. He has always been a friend at court, so he will probably help me deal with the interview. 

• A shoulder to cry on

This friend slang is often used to describe someone willing to listen to someone else’s problems and offer support. This person is typically seen as a reliable and trustworthy confidant who will not judge the other person or tell others about their problems. For example:

When I broke up with my boyfriend, I called Sarah immediately. She has always been a shoulder to cry on for me. 

• Bosom friends

Bosom friends typically refer to two people who are very close, have a lot in common, and confide in each other. It can also refer to two people who are in a romantic relationship. For example:

Mike and I have been bosom friends since kindergarten.

• Fair-weather friend

This expression is opposite to the previous one. A bosom friend is someone who is always here for you. And this idiom about friendship describes someone who is only your friend when the weather is good or when things are going well for you. They aren’t there for you when you need them the most. For example:

Nancy is a good girl, but she is a fair-weather friend. She is never here when I’m at my lowest.

• What goes around comes around

These words associated with friendship are often used to describe the idea of karma, or that what you do will come back to you eventually. It means that good things will happen to you if you are a good friend and help others. For example: 

I always try to be nice to people because I believe in the saying, “what goes around, comes around.” 

• Close-knit

This idiom describes a group of people who are very close to each other, like a family. Such friendships are rare and should be cherished.

• Friends in high places

These words are often used to describe a friendship with someone who is influential or powerful. It can be a great way to get ahead in life, but it is also a sign of true loyalty if your friend remains by your side even when they are no longer helpful to you.

• To strike up a friendship

It is a great way to describe how you can become friends with someone. Sometimes it happens spontaneously, and sometimes you have to put in a little effort. But either way, it is always a great feeling when you find a new friend.

These are only some of the many expressions about friendship in English. Of course, there are also more general terms that you can use to describe your friends. But these more specific terms can add color and flavor to your conversations about the people closest to you. So don’t forget to try our unique best friend idioms next time you see your buddies!

Inspiring Friendship Quotes

Having a friend is an inspiring feeling. When you know that among billions of people, there is a special someone that can be with you when you need it, you feel like everything is possible. And in Shakespeare’s language, many beautiful quotes describe this feeling. 

• "Don’t make friends who are comfortable to be with. Make friends who will force you to lever yourself up," by Thomas J. Watson.

This quote means that you should be friends with people who inspire you and make you want to be a better person. These are the kind of friends that will help you grow and reach your potential.

• "Friends show their love in times of trouble, not in happiness," by Euripides.

This quote is about how true friends are there for you during the tough times, not just when things are going well. These are the people you can rely on and who will support you no matter what.

• "We are best friends. Always remember that if you fall, I will pick you up… after I finish laughing," by Unknown.

It is a funny quote about friendship that shows how friends are always there for each other, even when they make mistakes. They will help you up, but they might laugh at you first!

Long Distance Friendship Quotes

Even though friends can be apart, their connection is always strong. And these long-distance friendship expressions and quotes are the best proof of that!

• "True friendship comes when the silence between two people is comfortable," David Tyson Gentry.

This quote shows that even when friends are far away from each other, they still have a deep connection. And this connection does not need words to be expressed – it is felt on a deeper level.

• "The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart," by Elisabeth Foley.

This phrase describes the feeling of being able to live your own life and pursue your goals while still connecting to your friend on a deep level. And this is what true friendship is all about – being able to grow and change while still being there for each other.

• "A friend is someone who knows you and loves you just the same," Elbert Hubbard.

This metaphor for friendship is an excellent reminder that even though friends can be apart, their love is always strong. And this is what makes a fellowship so unique – the knowledge that there is someone who loves you no matter what.

• "The distance doesn’t matter; it is the heart that matters," Anonymous. 

It is a lovely expression of long-distance friendship. It shows that your connection remains strong even if you are miles away from your friend. And this is what makes the company so unique.

Funny Friendship Idioms For Best Friends

• A friend in need is a pain in the neck, but a pain in the neck is better than no neck at all

It is a great way to describe how annoying it can be to have a friend who always needs something from you. But even though they can be a pain, it is better than not having them in your life.

• Two peas in a pod

You can use these words to describe a friendship with someone who is very much like you. When we spend a lot of time with a person, we gradually begin to behave the same way in certain situations. It is in such cases that this expression is used.

• As thick as thieves

These words related to friendship typically mean that the people involved are close, like family. The phrase is often used to describe friends who would do anything for each other or partners who are incredibly loyal to each other.

• To bury the hatchet

It is another example of great idioms about friends. Even between the closest comrades, arguments and misunderstandings sometimes occur. If you have been fighting with your comrade, this is a great way to make up and start fresh.

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Bonus! 5+ Friendship Metaphors

Best friend metaphors are a perfect way to describe your feelings to a person using beautiful literary comparisons. They can be fun, cute, or sweet, but they have one thing in common: they tell your friends how much they mean to you.

• A Good Friend is like a four-leaf Clover

A four-leaf clover is a rare and unique thing. And so is a good friend! It is one of the best metaphors for friendship. It describes how lucky you are to have found such a particular person in your life.

• Friendship is a Flower. You need to water it Regularly

This nice metaphor about a friend is an excellent reminder that even the closest relations need to be nurtured and cared for. Like a flower, friendship needs attention and effort to grow and stay strong.

• Friendship is a Shelter in the Storm

It is one of the best metaphors about friendship. It is a beautiful way to describe how fellowship can provide comfort and support during difficult times. Friends are always there to help you weather the storm when the going gets tough.

• You are the Cheese to my Macaroni

This metaphor is a fun way to describe how perfect two friends can be for each other. Like macaroni and cheese, friends are a classic combination that always goes together perfectly.

• Friends are like Wine. They Get Better with Age

This metaphor is a great way to describe how friendships can get better and stronger over time. Just like fine wine, camaraderie gets better with age. And just like wine, friends are always there to make life more enjoyable.

• A True Friendship is like Riding a Bike

A true friendship is built on trust and mutual understanding. Like riding a bike, friends can rely on each other to keep them balanced and moving forward.

• A Friend is like a Mirror

Friends can help us to see ourselves more clearly. Just as a mirror reflects our own image back to us, friends can help us to understand ourselves better.

• Friendship is like a circle that never ends

This metaphor is a great way to describe how friendships can last forever. Just as a circle has no beginning or end, true friendships also last forever.

How can idioms about friendship help you to learn English?

As you can see, many different expressions and words are associated with friendship in English. And each of them can help you understand and learn the language better. By understanding the meaning of these idioms, you will be able to use them in your conversations. It will help you to sound more natural and fluent when speaking English.

Studying idioms about friendship can also help you better understand English-speaking countries’ cultures and values. Friendship is an integral part of life in many cultures, and by understanding these idioms, you will be able to learn more about the way friends interact with each other in different countries.

In addition, learning words to describe friendship will allow you to understand native speakers better. When you hear someone use one of these expressions, you will know what they mean precisely. It can help you to follow along in conversation more easily. So don’t be afraid to start using these friend idioms in your following conversation. With a bit of practice, you’ll sound like a native speaker in no time! You can also practice how to pronounce phrases and expressions about friendship with this video.

More Information: Learn to easily find ways to describe your best friend with Promova

There are still hundreds of friendship quotes, idioms, and expressions. How could you remember them all? Luckily, there is a solution! The Promova app is a great way to learn English using just your mobile phone!

All you have to do is to find the application in the App Store and download it to your device. By doing this, you will access many exclusive lessons, learn new words, and find the best ways to describe your best buddy. So if you want to impress your friends with some freshly-learned idioms, don’t hesitate and get the Promova application right now!