birds of a feather flock together

Meaning

A proverb meaning that people who have similar interests, characters, or backgrounds naturally tend to associate with each other and spend time together. It is often used to observe social groups or friendships, sometimes with a slightly critical or neutral tone depending on the context.

Examples

• All the art students always hang out at the same cafe; birds of a feather flock together, I guess.

  All the art students always hang out at the same cafe; birds of a feather flock together, I guess.

• They both love hiking and photography, so it's no surprise they became best friends—birds of a feather flock together.

  They both love hiking and photography, so it's no surprise they became best friends—birds of a feather flock together.

• Look at those tech enthusiasts talking about code; truly, birds of a feather flock together.

  Look at those tech enthusiasts talking about code; truly, birds of a feather flock together.

• I knew they would get along because they share the same sense of humor; birds of a feather flock together.

  I knew they would get along because they share the same sense of humor; birds of a feather flock together.

• The gamers in our school always sit at the same lunch table; birds of a feather flock together.

  The gamers in our school always sit at the same lunch table; birds of a feather flock together.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ Birds of same feather flock together.

  ✓ Birds of a feather flock together.

  The traditional proverb uses the archaic 'of a feather' (meaning 'of the same kind of feather'). Do not substitute 'a' with 'same'.

• ✗ Birds of a feather flocking together.

  ✓ Birds of a feather flock together.

  As a proverb, it acts as a complete statement with the present simple verb 'flock', not the present participle 'flocking'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Those two are always gossiping about fashion; indeed, ___.

  💡 people of the same kind stay together

  Show answer

  birds of a feather flock together

• Since all the musicians in town hang out at that pub, it's a clear case of ___.

  💡 a famous proverb about similar people

  Show answer

  birds of a feather flock together