Loyalty, a steadfast and valued quality, often features in both our personal conversations and professional communications. It’s woven into numerous idiomatic expressions and phrases that convey commitment, reliability, and faithfulness. Understanding these expressions can enrich our dialogue and help us express loyalty more vividly. Here are 20 expressions related to loyalty, complete with meanings and succinct examples to illustrate their usage in everyday language.
Expressions Related to Loyalty
1. True blue
Meaning: Completely loyal.
Example: She is true blue to her friends.
2. Thick and thin
Meaning: Support in all situations, good or bad.
Example: He stood by me through thick and thin.
3. Loyal to the core
Meaning: Extremely loyal.
Example: His team is loyal to the core.
4. Ride or die
Meaning: Willing to support someone at all costs.
Example: She’s my ride or die friend.
5. Stand by someone
Meaning: Remain loyal to someone in difficult times.
Example: He always stands by his family.
6. Swear allegiance
Meaning: Promise to remain loyal.
Example: The knights swore allegiance to the king.
7. Stick with
Meaning: Continue to support or be loyal to.
Example: I’ll stick with you whatever happens.
8. Loyal to a fault
Meaning: Being loyal to someone even when it’s to one’s disadvantage.
Example: He is loyal to a fault to his employer.
9. Blind loyalty
Meaning: Loyalty without questioning.
Example: Blind loyalty can sometimes lead to problems.
10. Pledge loyalty
Meaning: Formally promise loyalty.
Example: They pledged loyalty to the new leader.
11. Keep faith
Meaning: Maintain trust and belief in someone.
Example: She kept faith in him despite the rumors.
12. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family loyalty is stronger than other relationships.
Example: He always says, “Blood is thicker than water.”
13. In someone’s corner
Meaning: Supportive of someone.
Example: No matter what, I’m in your corner.
14. Without a second thought
Meaning: Help someone immediately and without hesitation.
Example: He’d help you without a second thought.
15. Go to bat for
Meaning: Defend someone or something.
Example: She will always go to bat for her team.
16. On someone’s side
Meaning: Supportive of someone’s views or aims.
Example: Don’t worry, I’m on your side.
17. Faithful to the end
Meaning: Remain loyal until the very end.
Example: He was faithful to the end to his cause.
18. Salt of the earth
Meaning: Dependable and unpretentious loyalty.
Example: Those volunteers are the salt of the earth.
19. Take someone at their word
Meaning: Trust what someone says.
Example: I take him at his word because he’s honest.
20. Never turn one’s back on
Meaning: Never betray or abandon.
Example: She’d never turn her back on a friend.