spitting image

Meaning

This idiom is used to describe someone who looks almost identical to another person, most commonly a parent or relative. It is a casual, highly visual expression used when the physical resemblance is striking. It is usually structured as 'the spitting image of [someone]'.

Examples

• With that curly hair and those green eyes, she is the spitting image of her mother.

  With that curly hair and those green eyes, she is the spitting image of her mother.

• He is the spitting image of his grandfather when he was a young man.

  He is the spitting image of his grandfather when he was a young man.

• Everyone says my son is the spitting image of me, but I don't see it.

  Everyone says my son is the spitting image of me, but I don't see it.

• You are the absolute spitting image of your older sister; it's almost creepy!

  You are the absolute spitting image of your older sister; it's almost creepy!

• Looking at old photos, I realized my cousin is the spitting image of our aunt.

  Looking at old photos, I realized my cousin is the spitting image of our aunt.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She is the spit image of her mother.

  ✓ She is the spitting image of her mother.

  Although the historical origin comes from 'spit and image', the modern standard idiom is always 'spitting image'.

• ✗ You look like the spitting image to your father.

  ✓ You are the spitting image of your father.

  Use the verb 'to be' with 'the spitting image of', rather than 'look like the spitting image to'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• She is the ___ image of her grandmother when she was young.

  💡 Present participle of the verb 'spit'.

  Show answer

  spitting

• You are the spitting image ___ your father.

  💡 A common preposition indicating relationship or origin.

  Show answer

  of