Modul 5: Idiom 52: Like Father Like Son

Like Father like Son

Hi. Let’s take a look at the Idiom, ‘Like Father Like Son.’ The idiom is just as it sounds. When saying ‘like father like son’, you are commenting on how similar a son and a father are to each other. The phrase ‘like mother like daughter’ can also be used in this same way; however, the more popular saying is ‘like father like son.’

So what is the origin of this idiom?

This idiom originated from the Bible. In the book of Ezekiel chapter 16 verse 44, it says, ‘Everyone who quotes proverbs will quote this proverb about you: “Like mother, like daughter.’ The original phrase was about daughters’ likenesses to their mothers.

Take a look at our illustration.

Look at the father and the son. Do they look similar or different? They look very similar. Can you see that they have the same haircut and their facial features are similar…they’re even wearing the same clothes. Here we could say ‘like father like son.’ 

On the right, we can see a thought bubble in which there is a mother and her daughter and they also look similar. They are next to a book and this book is the Bible where the idiom originates from.

Here are some examples before we go to the concept questions…

Damon is angry so he’s outside, chopping up wood. Darrell used to do that too when he was angry. Like father, like son!

“Jimmy, don’t you like your raisins either? Like father like son, I guess!”

Whenever I forget something, my mum always says ‘like father like son’. My dad is forgetful too.

Dexter is just like me, I’ve never been academically smart. Like Father Like Son!

Great.

Let’s look at some situations and check your understanding:

1. George knocked over his orange juice twice during breakfast. “Like father like son, you’re as clumsy as your dad, “ his mum said. Was this an appropriate response from his mother? Yes because George is clumsy just like his dad.

2. Both Lucas and his dad love to play the guitar, and they are musically very talented.  Lucas’ Grandma listens to him play because he reminds her of her son. Could Lucas’s grandma use the idiom ‘Like father like son’? Yes because Lucus reminds her of his father.

3. Sally took another cookie from the tin. “Like mother, like daughter,” her dad said. “Your mum doesn’t like cookies.” Was this the right idiom to use? No. The mother does not like cookies, but Sally does, so they are not alike in this scenario. Because of this, “Like mother like daughter” should not be used.

4. Simon’s dad had been a very good car mechanic, but Simon couldn’t even drive a car. Is this ‘Like father like son’? No. “Like father like son” should not be used because they don’t have the same knowledge of cars.

5. “Like father, like son!” Sarah laughed when she opened her birthday cards because she saw that her son had bought her the exact same card as her husband. Was this a good use of ‘like father like son’? Yes, because they both bought her the same card for her birthday.

Great. Now go and practise. See you soon.