He's a chip off the old block

You are wondering about the meaning of the phrase He's a chip off the old block, maybe you heard it in a TV show, movie or theater play. Although this idiom is not used very often, it enriches your capacity of expression and strengthens communication. In which case is the expression He's a chip off the old block used and what is its meaning?

Meaning of "He's a chip off the old block"

Meaning

The phrase ‘He’s a chip off the old block’ is an idiom which is used to describe a person who is similar in character or behaviour to a parent, especially a father. It suggests that the person has taken after their parent in a positive way.

Etymology

The idiom ‘He’s a chip off the old block’ originated in the late 19th century. It is believed to have come from the idea of a block of wood which is used to make a carpenter’s chisel. The chisel is then used to carve or shape the wood, and the product of this process would be a chip off the block. The metaphor being used here is that the person being described is similar to the parent, in the same way that the chip is similar to the block.

Usage

The idiom ‘He’s a chip off the old block’ is used to describe a person who is similar in character or behaviour to a parent, especially a father. It is used positively to suggest that the person has taken after their parent in a positive way. It can be used to highlight the resemblance between a parent and a child, and the similarities that they share.

Example Sentences

• He’s a chip off the old block – just like his dad, he’s always getting into mischief.
• She’s such a chip off the old block – she has the same stubborn streak as her mother.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.