The idiom “(as) close as two coats of paint” refers to a relationship or connection that is very close and intimate. It is often used to describe people who are emotionally or physically inseparable, reflecting a strong bond or attachment. The comparison is drawn from the idea that two coats of paint are tightly layered together, just as two individuals might be closely connected.
What does “(as) close as two coats of paint” mean?
Definition:
- Close and intimate: Describes a relationship or bond between two people that is very strong and affectionate, indicating that they share a close connection or are always together.
Origins: The phrase originates from the idea of applying two coats of paint on a surface, where one layer is close to the other and they are inseparable. The idiom extends this idea to human relationships, where two individuals share a deep, unbreakable bond.
Examples of “(as) close as two coats of paint”
Describing a close relationship:
“When Tom and Mary were kids, they were as close as two coats of paint, always playing together.”
“The twins are as close as two coats of paint. They do everything together, from school projects to hobbies.”
Describing close family ties:
“All their lives, the cousins were close as two coats of paint, always supporting each other through thick and thin.”
“Growing up in a small town, Sarah and her best friend were as close as two coats of paint.”
Describing close friendships:
“Over the years, they’ve become as close as two coats of paint, sharing their hopes and fears with one another.”
“The two colleagues became as close as two coats of paint, always working together on every project.”
How to use “(as) close as two coats of paint”
Describing a strong emotional bond:
“They’ve been as close as two coats of paint ever since they met at summer camp.”
“Their friendship is so close that they’re as close as two coats of paint, always spending time together.”
Describing people who are always together:
“Ever since childhood, they’ve been as close as two coats of paint—always seen together at social gatherings.”
“From childhood through adulthood, they stayed as close as two coats of paint, never letting anything come between them.”
Related idioms
- Thick as thieves: Very close, often used to describe people who share a strong and secretive bond.
- Joined at the hip: Describes two people who are always together, suggesting an inseparable connection.
- Like peas in a pod: Very similar and always together, indicating a close and harmonious relationship.
Conclusion
The idiom “(as) close as two coats of paint” vividly expresses the idea of a strong, intimate connection between two people. Whether describing friends, family, or any relationship, this phrase emphasizes how close and inseparable individuals can be, just like two layers of paint closely bonded together.
