go through thick and thin

Meaning

This idiom means to support, stay with, or survive together through all kinds of situations, both very good and very difficult. It is commonly used to describe loyal friendships, marriages, or long-term partnerships that have endured hardships.

Examples

• We've been best friends since childhood and have gone through thick and thin together.

  We've been best friends since childhood and have gone through thick and thin together.

• A true partner is someone who will stand by you through thick and thin.

  A true partner is someone who will stand by you through thick and thin.

• They've gone through thick and thin, but their marriage is stronger than ever.

  They've gone through thick and thin, but their marriage is stronger than ever.

• Our family has gone through thick and thin, but we always support each other.

  Our family has gone through thick and thin, but we always support each other.

• She promised to stay with him through thick and thin, no matter what happened.

  She promised to stay with him through thick and thin, no matter what happened.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ We went through thick and thin times.

  ✓ We went through thick and thin.

  'Thick and thin' acts as a noun phrase in this idiom; do not add nouns like 'times' or 'periods' after it.

• ✗ They stayed together in thick and thin.

  ✓ They stayed together through thick and thin.

  The correct preposition to use with this idiom is 'through,' not 'in.'

Related Expressions

Practice

• Best friends are people who stick by you ___.

  💡 during both good and bad times

  Show answer

  through thick and thin

• My sister and I have ___ together, so nothing can break our bond.

  💡 experienced many highs and lows

  Show answer

  gone through thick and thin