Thick as Thieves Idiom Meaning

Thick as Thieves

Meaning of "Thick as Thieves"

Thick as thieves means very close friends who trust each other completely, spend a lot of time together, and often share private information or secrets.

The idiom is used to describe people who have a strong friendship and are frequently seen together.

Part of Speech: Idiom
Difficulty Level: Intermediate
Pronunciation: /θɪk əz θiːvz/

Definition

When two or more people are thick as thieves, they have an exceptionally close relationship. They enjoy each other's company, often spend time together, and usually know a lot about one another's personal lives.

The expression emphasises loyalty, friendship, and a strong bond between people.

Thick as Thieves in Sentences

• Dev and Pooja have known each other since the age of ten—they're thick as thieves.

• They were as thick as thieves for weeks, which made us wonder what they were planning.

• The two brothers are thick as thieves and rarely spend a day apart.

• Sarah and Emma became thick as thieves during their first year at university.

• Those colleagues are thick as thieves and always have lunch together.

• The cousins grew up together and remain thick as thieves even today.

• Ever since they started working on the project, they've been thick as thieves.

Synonyms of "Thick as Thieves"

Words and phrases with a similar meaning include:

• Close

• Friendly

• Chummy

• Intimate

• Close-knit

• Buddy-buddy

• Palsy-walsy

• Faithful

• Inseparable

• Best friends

• Like two peas in a pod

• Joined at the hip

Antonyms of "Thick as Thieves"

Words and expressions with the opposite meaning include:

• Distant

• Unfriendly

• Hostile

• Estranged

• Aloof

• Detached

• Unacquainted

• Cold

• Rivals

• At odds

• Enemies

• Opponents

Origin and History of "Thick as Thieves"

The phrase dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. In this context, the word "thick" means closely connected or closely associated.

The expression compares close friends to thieves who work together secretly and trust each other completely. Over time, the idiom lost its criminal association and came to refer simply to people who share a strong friendship and close relationship.

When to Use "Thick as Thieves"

This idiom is commonly used when:

• Two friends spend a lot of time together.

• People share secrets and personal information.

• Family members have a very close bond.

• Coworkers or classmates become inseparable.

• You want to describe a strong friendship.

Example Situations

At School

Two classmates become best friends and are always seen together.

At Work

Colleagues develop a strong friendship and frequently collaborate on projects.

In Families

Siblings who trust each other completely can be described as thick as thieves.

Among Friends

A group of friends shares secrets, supports one another, and spends time together regularly.

Common Mistakes

❌ They are thick like thieves.

✅ They are thick as thieves.

❌ They are a thick thief.

✅ They are thick as thieves.

Remember that the correct idiom is "thick as thieves" and not "thick like thieves".

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Related Idioms and Expressions

If you enjoy learning English idioms, you may also like:

• Like Two Peas in a Pod – Very similar and close.

• Joined at the Hip – Always together.

• Get Along Like a House on Fire – Become friends very quickly.

• A Friend in Need Is a Friend Indeed – True friends help during difficult times.

• Hit It Off – Become friendly immediately.

Tip to Remember

Imagine two trusted partners who always work together and share secrets. That image helps explain why people who are extremely close friends are described as "thick as thieves".

Quick Summary

Example: Ravi and Arjun have been thick as thieves since childhood and still talk every day.