IELTS Vocabulary – Friendship

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering friendship idioms, phrasal verbs, and writing-safe collocations for IELTS preparation, categorized by their suitability for Speaking and Writing tasks.

a small circle of friends

A small group of close friends; used in writing to describe how teenagers benefit from intimate peer groups.

a close-knit group

A group of people bonded closely together that provides emotional support.

be there for someone

To support and be present for someone when life gets difficult or during stressful periods.

have someone’s back

To support or defend someone when necessary. (Note: Avoid in Writing; use 'provide support' instead).

a shoulder to cry on

Someone who provides emotional support and listens when another person is sad. (Note: Avoid in Writing; use 'provide emotional support').

through thick and thin

To stay together through both positive and difficult periods.

see eye to eye

To agree on issues or share the same view as someone else.

be on the same wavelength

To share similar views, interests, or ways of thinking.

hit it off

To quickly become friends with someone upon first meeting.

get on like a house on fire

To get along extremely well and very quickly. (Note: Informal; avoid in Writing Task 2).

two peas in a pod

Two people who are very similar in personality and interests.

birds of a feather flock together

A proverb meaning people with similar values or interests often form friendships.

a fair-weather friend

An unreliable friend who is only present when things are going well.

joined at the hip

Two people who spend a great deal of time together and are rarely apart.

know someone inside out

To understand someone very well or intimately.

clear the air

To resolve misunderstandings or negative feelings through open communication.

patch things up

To resolve a conflict or repair a relationship after an argument.

drift apart

To gradually become less close as priorities change or after life transitions.

keep in touch

To maintain communication with someone, especially over long distances.

lose touch

To stop communicating with friends, often due to a lack of regular contact.

a friend in need is a friend indeed

A proverb stating that true friendship is demonstrated when a friend provides help in difficult situations.

get on with / get along with

To have a good relationship or be harmonious with others.

hang out with

To spend time socially with friends. (Note: Formal alternative: spend time with).

open up to someone

To disclose personal feelings or share emotions with someone trusted.

fall out with someone

To have a disagreement or argument that disrupts a friendship.

make up

To reconcile or resolve a conflict after a fight.

grow apart

To become distant over time as people develop different interests or priorities.

reach out to someone

To proactively contact or offer support to another person.

stand by someone

To remain loyal to and support someone during difficult times.

look out for someone

To protect, support, or take care of someone.

let someone down

To disappoint someone by failing to meet their expectations.

count on someone

To rely on or trust someone to be there when needed.

put up with someone/something

To tolerate someone's behavior or a difficult situation.

bring people together

To connect individuals through shared activities or common goals.

grow up together

To be friends since childhood, often leading to lasting bonds.

form close bonds

To establish deep and meaningful connections through shared experiences.

build mutual trust

To develop a shared sense of reliability and honesty in a relationship.

provide emotional support

To offer comfort and encouragement, particularly during stressful periods.

maintain long-term friendships

To keep a friendship active over a significant period of time.

share common interests

To have similar hobbies, values, or topics of interest as another person.

develop social skills

To improve the ability to interact and communicate effectively with others.

resolve conflicts

To find a solution to disagreements or arguments.

strengthen relationships

To make a bond between people firmer and more resilient through communication.

a sense of belonging

The feeling of being an accepted and important part of a social group.

social support network

A group of friends and family that provide emotional and practical assistance.

casual acquaintances

People who are known slightly but are not close friends.

meaningful friendships

Substantial and significant relationships that provide value to one's life.

peer relationships

Connections forged between individuals of the same age or social status.

interpersonal skills

The skills used by a person to interact with others properly.

mutual respect

The practice of valuing and honoring each other within a relationship.

emotional maturity

The ability to manage disagreements and emotions in a healthy, adult manner.

social isolation

A state of having a lack of contact with other people or a lack of close friends.

communicate openly

To speak honestly and transparently with others to maintain trust.