like father/mother, like son/daughter

like father, like son

Said when a son shows similarities to his father in mannerisms, interests, behavior, etc. Tommy's headstrong and impatient—like father, like son. A: "My only interest is in making money." B: "Like father, like son, I see."See also: like, son

like mother, like daughter

Said when a daughter takes after her mother in terms of mannerisms, interests, behavior, etc. Tammy's headstrong and impatient—like mother, like daughter. A: "My only interest is in making money." B: "Like mother, like daughter, I see."See also: daughter, like

like father, like son

Prov. Fathers and sons resemble each other, and sons tend to do what their fathers did before them. Jill: George's father smoked all the time, and now George is smoking excessively, too. Jane: Like father, like son, eh? I think my son will grow up tall, just like his father. Like father, like son.See also: like, son

Like mother, like daughter.

Prov. Daughters resemble their mothers.; Daughters tend to do what their mothers did before them. My mother loved sweets, and every time my father saw me with a cookie in my hand, he would sigh, "Like mother, like daughter." Jill: Gina's beautiful. Jane: Like mother, like daughter; her mother's gorgeous, too.See also: daughter, like

like father, like son

In the same manner from generation to generation, as in Kevin decided to run for mayor-like father, like son. This ancient proverb has been stated in English in slightly varying versions since the 1300s, sometimes appearing with a counterpart, like mother, like daughter. Thomas Draxe had it in Bibliotheca (1616): "Like father, like son; like mother, like daughter." Also see chip off the old block; follow in someone's footsteps. See also: like, son

like father, like son

a son's character or behaviour can be expected to resemble that of his father. The Latin version of this expression is qualis pater, talis filius . The female equivalent, like mother, like daughter , is based on Ezekiel 16:44: ‘Behold, every one that useth proverbs shall use this proverb against thee, saying, As is the mother, so is the daughter’.See also: like, son

like ˌfather/ˌmother, like ˈson/ˈdaughter

(saying) a child is similar to its father/mother in a particular way: Young Jim is turning out to be as hard-working as his dad — like father, like son.See also: daughter, father, like, son