brother

Am I my brother's keeper?

I'm not responsible for the actions, behavior, or whereabouts of my close relative or friend (not necessarily a brother). Often used to express frustration that such responsibility is assumed. How should I know where Mary is? Am I my brother's keeper?

be (all) brothers/sisters under the skin

Of two or more people, to have thoughts or feelings in common, despite other obvious differences between them. As much as you dislike your chatty new co-worker, she's as nervous and insecure as you are—you're really sisters under the skin.
See also: brother, sister, skin

be (not) (one's) brother's keeper

To be responsible for the actions, behavior, or whereabouts of one's close relative or friend (not necessarily a brother). Often used in the negative to express frustration that such responsibility is assumed. Of course I'm disappointed that Travis got arrested again, but I'm not my brother's keeper. When I'm babysitting him, I'm my brother's keeper.
See also: keeper

big brother

1. One's older brother. My big brother said he would help us move the couch. Andrew is Julie's big brother.
2. A shorthand reference to oppressive rule that was popularized by George Orwell's dystopian novel Nineteen Eighty-Four. In this usage, the phrase is usually capitalized. You have to be careful what you write in an email these days. Big Brother is watching you, after all.
See also: big, brother

Big Brother is watching you

A phrase taken from George Orwell's Nineteen Eighty-Four, meaning one's actions and intentions are being monitored by the government as a means of controlling and suppressing the will of the populace. You have to be careful what you write in an email these days. Big Brother is watching you, after all.
See also: big, brother, watch

blood brother

A boy or man who has sworn loyalty to another despite not being biologically related. When Jake and Tim entered the battlefield, they became blood brothers, vowing to protect each other from harm's way.
See also: blood, brother

brother of the blade

obsolete Someone who is adept at using a sword, often specifically a soldier. With your meager skills, you would never survive against a real brother of the blade.
See also: blade, brother, of

brother of the quill

obsolete An author. Oh yes, he is a brother of the quill. Have you read any of his work? There is no way a brother of the quill can give Lady Edith the kind of lifestyle she is accustomed to.
See also: brother, of

brother of the string

obsolete A musician, often specifically a fiddler. We will have a brother of the string provide music during the ceremony. There is no way a brother of the string can give Lady Edith the kind of lifestyle she is accustomed to.
See also: brother, of, string

everybody and his brother

A lot of people. The phrase is not only used to apply to men. Geez, everybody and his brother was riding the subway with me this morning—I could barely push through the crowd at my stop!
See also: and, brother, everybody

everybody and their brother

Used hyperbolically to express a large number or a majority of people. I'm so jealous, everybody and their brother is going on a vacation this summer except for me.
See also: and, brother, everybody

everyone and his brother

A lot of people. The phrase is not only used to apply to men. Geez, everyone and his brother was riding the subway with me this morning—I could barely push through the crowd at my stop!
See also: and, brother, everyone

everyone and their brother

A large number or a majority of people. Used hyperbolically. Everyone and their brother is going to be at the wedding this July, I hope I can make it too.
See also: and, brother, everyone

I'm not my brother's keeper

I'm not responsible for the actions, behavior, or whereabouts of my close relative or friend (not necessarily a brother). Often used to express frustration that such responsibility is assumed. Of course I'm disappointed that Travis got arrested again, but I'm not my brother's keeper. How should I know where Mary is? I'm not my brother's keeper.
See also: keeper, not

not (one's) brother's keeper

Not responsible for the actions, behavior, or whereabouts of one's close relative or friend (not necessarily a brother). Often used to express frustration that such responsibility is assumed. Of course I'm disappointed that Travis got arrested again, but I'm not my brother's keeper. How should I know where Mary is? I'm not my brother's keeper.
See also: keeper, not

older brother

A male who is older than one or more of his siblings. I'll ask my older brother to help us with the move. Connie's older brother will be there on Saturday, and I'd really like you to meet him. Our neighbor Jim was like an older brother to me when I was growing up.
See also: brother, older

Robert's your father's brother

Said to emphasize how easily or quickly something can be done. A humorous elaboration of the standard phrase "Bob's your uncle," meaning the same. All you have to do is combine the ingredients in one pot, let it cook, and then Robert's your father's brother—dinner is ready!
See also: brother

soul brother

1. An African-American man, especially one who strives to better the lives of other African-Americans. Jason was a true man—a man who fought tirelessly for his family and his community. He was a soul brother, and he will not be forgotten.
2. A man with whom one shares an intense, intimate, emotional connection. When I got my first acting gig at 18, I was just a scared, cocky kid. But I found a soul brother in Harvey. He took me under his wing, and helped me grow into the kind of man I'd always wanted to be.
See also: brother, soul

younger brother

One's younger male sibling. Yeah, I have a younger brother—his name is Jim. Johnny is Bella's younger brother.
See also: brother, young
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

be one's brother's keeper

to be responsible for someone else. (Used of others besides just real brothers.) I can't force these kids to go to school and get an education so they can get jobs. I am not my brother's keeper. You can't expect me to be my brother's keeper. Each of us should be responsible for himself! be one's own man and be one's own master to be someone who is not controlled by other people; to be an independent person. Bert longed to be his own master, but at the same time feared losing the security he had as the employee of a large company. When I go away to college, I'll be my own man. My parents won't be able to tell me what to do anymore.
See also: keeper

everybody and his brother

 and everybody and his uncle
Fig. everybody; lots of people. The state fair was packed. Everybody and his brother was there. Everybody and his uncle was asking me where you was today.
See also: and, brother, everybody

I am not my brother's keeper.

 and Am I my brother's keeper?
Prov. You are not responsible for another person's doings or whereabouts. (Biblical.) Fred: Where's Robert? Jane: Am I my brother's keeper? Jill: How could you let Jane run off like that? Alan: I'm not my brother's keeper.
See also: keeper, not

(soul) brother

a black person's male, black friend. Another brother took a fall last night. Terry's a soul brother, and I'll do anything for him.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

not your brother's keeper

You can say that you are not your brother's keeper to indicate that you do not accept responsibility for other people in any way. Part of me wants to help him, but part of me realizes I can't be my brother's keeper. Note: These expressions come from a story in the Bible. Cain has killed his brother, Abel, but tries to deny it. `And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper?' (Genesis 4:9)
See also: keeper, not
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

Big brother

the state perceived as a sinister force supervising citizens' lives.
Big brother comes from the slogan Big Brother is watching you in George Orwell's novel 1984.
See also: big, brother
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

ˌBig ˈBrother (is watching you)

a leader, a person in authority or a government that tries to control every aspect of people’s lives: We live in a society where all kinds of information about the individual may be stored on computer. Big Brother, if not actually watching you, can quickly check on you if he wants to.This comes from the novel Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell, in which the leader of the government, Big Brother, had total control over people. The slogan ‘Big Brother is watching you’ reminded people that he knew everything they did.
See also: big, brother

be (all) brothers/sisters under the ˈskin

be men/women with similar feelings, in spite of outside appearances, position, etc: Actors and politicians are brothers under the skin. They both need public approval.
See also: brother, sister, skin
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

big brother

1. n. a personification of the totalitarian state. (From George Orwell’s 1984.) Big brother has changed the tax laws again.
2. n. someone who personifies the totalitarian state: the police, parents, teachers. Big brother says the paper is due tomorrow, or else.
See also: big, brother

blood (brother)

n. a fellow black male. (see also blood.) One of the bloods came up to say hello.
See also: blood, brother

brews brothers

n. (male) beer-drinking college students. (A play on The Blues Brothers, a popular movie released in 1980.) You guys look like the devil and you smell like the brews brothers.
See also: brew, brother

(soul) brother

n. a black person’s male, black friend. Another brother took a fall last night.
See also: brother, soul

brother

verb
See soul brother
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • I am not my brother's keeper
  • I'm not my brother's keeper
  • keeper
  • Am I my brother's keeper?
  • not your brother's keeper
  • not (one's) brother's keeper
  • be (not) (one's) brother's keeper
  • be brother's keeper
  • not (one's) keeper
  • not someone's keeper
References in classic literature
'Brother, little brother, come to me,' the swifter he fled after his brothers the wolves, and the heavier grew his skin, till, with a long howl, he vanished into the depths of the forest.
Yellow Fairy Book
"Three, most holy father," the brother answered in a low and quavering voice.
The White Company
There was a struggle in his heart between the desire to forget his unhappy brother for the time, and the consciousness that it would be base to do so.
Anna Karenina
"Yes, I think so; for you must know your brother's heart."
Northanger Abbey
my very dear brother, I should like to settle down to a better life.
Notre Dame de Paris
The captain ran to embrace his brother, who placed both hands on his breast so as to have a good look at him, holding him a little way off but as soon as he had fully recognised him he clasped him in his arms so closely, shedding such tears of heartfelt joy, that most of those present could not but join in them.
Don Quixote
'Brother Charles, my dear fellow,' replied a voice from the inside, so like in its tones to that which had just spoken, that Nicholas started, and almost thought it was the same, 'don't ask me such a question, but come in directly.'
The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby
"Brother, I thank you a million times for your more than brotherly welcome, and a million times more to that for your more than brotherly intentions.
Bleak House
It was empty except for a wolf or two, for Galazi abode here seldom now; but when he was on the mountain would sleep in the forest, which was nearer the kraal of his brother the Slaughterer.
Nada The Lily
A man in a blue and white blazer addressed my brother, full of strange tidings.
War Of The Worlds
I thanked the fairy for all that she had done for me, but I begged her not to kill my brothers.
Arabian Nights
At these words a sound of laughing came from the bench, whereat the lean Brother's wrath boiled over, like water into the fire, with great fuss and noise.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
These exclamations continued till they were interrupted by the lady, who now proceeded to execute the commission given her by her brother, and gave orders for providing all necessaries for the child, appointing a very good room in the house for his nursery.
The History of Tom Jones a Foundling
"The younger brother impatiently rejoined, `With twelve o'clock?'
Tale Of Two Cities
I will give you so much that you shall be even richer than your brother.' Then he gave him gold and lands and flocks, and made him so rich that his brother's fortune could not at all be compared with his.
Fairy Tales