through thick and thin
Through all (especially grim, rough and difficult) conditions; in all weathers.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“They have stayed friends through thick and thin.”
“My partner supported me through thick and thin while I finished my difficult degree.”
“The loyal soldiers remained by their commander's side through thick and thin, even when the battle seemed completely lost.”
first recorded 14th c. disputed origin
From medieval hunting and travel — 'through thicket and thin wood'; used by Chaucer in The Reeve's Tale (c. 1386).
- 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