blood is thicker than water

blood is thicker than water

Meaning

• family relations and bonds are closer than other relationships
• people who are related have stronger bonds with each other than with others
• blood relations are more important than other kinds of relations

Example Sentences

1. When you get into trouble, usually your family will be the ones to bail you out, not your friends. After all, blood is thicker than water.
2. My friends are going for a camping trip during the weekend, but I have to help my brother with his shifting. Blood is thicker than water, you know.
3. I had to choose between attending my cousin's and friend's wedding, which were on the same day, and I chose my cousin's. Blood is thicker than water, after all.
4. When his sister was going through a difficult period and needed support, he dropped everything and went to stand by her; blood is thicker than water.

Origin

This phrase is an old one and was used in various forms. It existed in other languages also, with the earliest probable reference being in the 12th century in German. In English, there have been references in 1412 and 1670. In the present form, it was first found in the novel “Guy Mannering” in 1815 by Sir Walter Scott.