thick and thin
Both good and bad times.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“True friends stay together through thick and thin.”
“They have been married for forty years and have supported each other through thick and thin.”
“Despite the company facing bankruptcy and constant public criticism, the loyal employees stood by their leader through thick and thin.”
- 01
blood is thicker than water
Family relations and loyalties are stronger than relationships with people who are not family members.
- 02
come thick and fast
To arrive rapidly in large groups.
- 03
have a thin time of it
To be in a difficult or precarious situation due to one not having enough money.
- 04
lay it on thick
To exaggerate or overstate a feeling or emotion.
- 05
on thin ice
Dangerously, hazardously, delicately.
- 06
out of thin air
From nowhere or nothing; from a non-existent or unknown source.
- 07
skate on thin ice
To be (or to place oneself) in a risky, potentially dangerous or delicate situation.
- 08
spread oneself thin
To commit oneself to too many projects, so that there is little chance of completing them all satisfactorily.
Last updated August 10, 2026