through thick and thin

Meaning

This idiom means to support someone or stay dedicated to something through all circumstances, no matter how difficult, challenging, or pleasant they may be. It emphasizes loyalty, deep commitment, and endurance over a long period.

Examples

• We've been best friends since childhood, and we've stood by each other through thick and thin.

  We've been best friends since childhood, and we've stood by each other through thick and thin.

• A loyal dog will stay by your side through thick and thin.

  A loyal dog will stay by your side through thick and thin.

• She supported her husband's business through thick and thin until it finally succeeded.

  She supported her husband's business through thick and thin until it finally succeeded.

• True friends are those who stick around through thick and thin, not just when things are going well.

  True friends are those who stick around through thick and thin, not just when things are going well.

• They've managed to keep their relationship strong through thick and thin over the last thirty years.

  They've managed to keep their relationship strong through thick and thin over the last thirty years.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ They stayed together through thick and thin times.

  ✓ They stayed together through thick and thin.

  'Through thick and thin' is a prepositional phrase functioning as an adverbial. You do not need to add the noun 'times' at the end.

• ✗ I will support you between thick and thin.

  ✓ I will support you through thick and thin.

  The correct preposition is always 'through,' representing moving through different phases of life.

Related Expressions

Practice

• A true partner is someone who will support you ___.

  💡 Through both good times and bad times.

  Show answer

  through thick and thin

• Our company has survived ___ thanks to our dedicated team.

  💡 Through many ups and downs over the years.

  Show answer

  through thick and thin