Family
Episode #4 of the course English idioms (B2) by Kasia Sielicka, PhD
Ding dong!
“What’s that?” asked Alice, a bit startled.
“The doorbell,” answered Susan, starting to get up.
“Oh no, let me get that,” protested Alice, running to the door. “You’re ill, you have to relax.”
Alice opened the door. In front of her stood a complete stranger: a big tall man in his late 40s. She wanted to slam the door in his face and call the police, but he said cheerfully:
“Hiya! Where’s Sis?”
“Mark, is that you?” shouted Susan from her bedroom. “Come on in, Bro!”
Reassured, Alice let the stranger into the flat.
“I can’t believe you didn’t recognize my brother!” laughed Susan. “We’re like two peas in a pod!”
Alice stared in disbelief at the short slim woman and then at the tall big man, and she failed to see any similarity. She looked doubtful.
“Look,” exclaimed Susan, trying to convince her best friend. “We both have blue eyes! It runs in the family!”
This sounded like the final argument, but Alice was still confused.
“I guess…” she said doubtfully. “I was misled by the age difference…”
“Oh, that,” said Mark, smiling. “Susan has always been the baby of the family. Our baby Susie,” he added, touching Susan’s nose playfully.
“And you’ve always been the black sheep of the family,” answered Susan. “The tattoo, the rock band, the long hair…”
“Well, you know what they say: “like father, like son,” he answered proudly.
“Your father had long hair?” asked Alice, surprised.
“No. A rock band,” explained Mark.
“Oh,” said Alice, laughing. “So, you followed in his footsteps?”
“I never thought about it that way, but I guess you can say that,” answered Mark. “Still, we don’t see eye to eye on many things. Once, he said he didn’t want to know me any more, but you know, blood is thicker than water.”
“That’s right,” confirmed Susan. “Even though you and Dad are always fighting like cats and dogs, you make up in the end.”
“Sure thing,” said Mark, smiling the whole time. “Anyway, Sis, I’ve come to invite you to my wedding!”
“What?” exclaimed Susan, shocked. “You and your girlfriend have finally decided to tie the knot? I’m so happy for you!”
“Here’s the invitation,” said Mark, putting an envelope on the table. “It’s for two people, and there won’t be any single men or women, so…you know…”
“Oh…” sighed Susan, all the happiness for her brother disappearing in an instant. “I’ll need a partner…”
Idioms Explained
When two people are like two peas in a pod, they are very similar. It’s often used about twins.
When a feature or a talent runs in the family, everyone in the family has it.
The baby of the family is the youngest member of the family.
The black sheep of the family is someone who is not approved by the rest of the family because the family thinks they behave badly.
“Like father, like son” is used for saying that a man or a boy is similar to his father in attitudes and behavior.
When you follow in someone’s footsteps, you do the same work as someone before you. This is often used when you choose the same career as your parents.
If you don’t see eye to eye on a topic, you don’t agree with someone about it.
“Blood is thicker than water” is used for saying that family relationships are stronger than other types of relationships.
When two people fight like cats and dogs, they argue often or with lots of anger.
When you tie the knot, you get married.
Why is Susan worried about her partner for the wedding? Find out tomorrow!
Recommended book
Essential Idioms in English: Phrasal Verbs and Collocations by Robert J. Dixson
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