Chip off the old block

Definitions

• resemblance
  To describe someone who closely resembles a parent, especially in terms of personality or behavior

• inheritance
  To describe someone who has inherited similar traits or characteristics from a parent, especially in a positive sense

• continuation
  To describe something or someone who carries on a legacy or tradition from a previous generation or predecessor

Examples of Chip off the old block

• Sarah's son, David, has inherited her love for reading. He spends hours with his head buried in a book, just like his mother did when she was his age. Sarah often jokes that David is a "chip off the old block" when it comes to reading.

  The idiom "chip off the old block" refers to someone who is very similar to their parent or family member in terms of personality, habits, or characteristics. In this instance, David's love for reading is so strong that it reminds Sarah of her own love for reading when she was young. This shows that Sarah's personality and interests have been passed down to her son through genetics or upbringing.

• Sarah's son, Michael, is a real chip off the old block. He has inherited his father's love for woodworking and spends hours in the garage crafting beautiful pieces.

  "Chip off the old block" refers to someone who is similar in character, habits, or mannerisms to their parent or older relative. In this case, Michael is just like his father in his love and talent for woodworking, which suggests that this trait is inherited or learned from his father. The phrase implies that Michael is following in his father's footsteps, both in his actions and his interests.

Conclusion

The idiom "chip off the old block" is used to describe someone or something that closely resembles a parent or ancestor. It can be used in a positive or negative sense, depending on the context. It can also convey the idea of inheritance and continuation of traits or traditions.

Origin of "Chip off the old block"

The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the 17th century in England. It comes from the phrase "a chip of the old block," which referred to a small piece of wood that is removed from a larger block. This phrase was often used to describe a son who was similar to his father in terms of appearance or character.

Over time, the phrase evolved into "chip off the old block" and became a popular idiom in the English language. It is believed that the idiom was first used in a play by William Shakespeare called "The Winter's Tale," where the character Autolycus says, "She hath all the red symptoms of the old stock."

The idiom has since been used in various contexts to describe any situation where someone or something resembles a predecessor or continues a legacy. It has also been adapted into other languages, such as Spanish and French, with similar meanings. Overall, the idiom "chip off the old block" has stood the test of time and remains a commonly used phrase in modern English.