He's a chip off the old block

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does He's a chip off the old block mean? In what situations is He's a chip off the old block used?

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.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.