The idiom a chip off the old block means a person is very like one of their parents or ancestors. People use the phrase to say that a child shares traits with a parent.
The phrase often describes look, behavior, talent, or habits. Many writers and speakers use small variations like “a chip from the old block” or say someone is “a chip off the old block” in praise or in a joke.
This article explains the meaning, use, and simple examples of the idiom. It also checks grammar and parts of speech so you can use it easily and correctly.
Parts of speech analysis
Here you will find a sentence-by-sentence grammatical analysis. Each example highlights key parts of speech and correct verb usage.
The idiom a chip off the old block means a person is very like one of their parents or ancestors
- Nouns: idiom, chip, block, person, parents, ancestors.
- Pronouns: their (refers to “person”; singular they is used here).
- Verbs: means (present tense, singular subject “idiom” → correct), is (present tense, singular subject “person” → correct).
- Adjectives: old (modifies “block”), very actually is an adverb here (modifies “like”) — see below.
- Adverbs: very (modifies “like”).
- Prepositions: of (in “one of their parents”), like functions as a preposition here.
- Conjunctions: none.
- Articles: The, a.
- Sentence check: Complete sentence with correct subject-verb agreement. No fragments or run-ons.
People use the phrase to say that a child shares traits with a parent
- Nouns: People, phrase, child, traits, parent.
- Pronouns: none.
- Verbs: use (present tense, plural subject “People” → correct), say (infinitive used after “to”). Shares(present tense, singular subject “a child” → correct).
- Adjectives: none beyond nouns used as modifiers.
- Adverbs: none.
- Prepositions: with (connects “shares traits with a parent”).
- Conjunctions: that (subordinating conjunction/complimentizer).
- Articles: the, a.
- Sentence check: Clear structure. Verb tenses and agreement correct.
The phrase often describes look, behaviour, talent, or habits
- Nouns: phrase, look, behaviour, talent, habits.
- Pronouns: none.
- Verbs: describes (present tense, singular subject “phrase” → correct).
- Adverbs: often (modifies “describes”).
- Conjunctions: or (lists items).
- Articles: The.
- Prepositions: none.
- Sentence check: Fine, although “look” could be “appearance” for clarity; still grammatically correct.
Many writers and speakers use small variations like “a chip from the old block” or say someone is “a chip off the old block” in praise or in a joke”
- Nouns: writers, speakers, variations, chip, block, someone, praise, joke.
- Pronouns: someone (indefinite pronoun).
- Verbs: use (present tense, plural subject “writers and speakers” → correct), say (present tense, plural subject → correct), is (present tense, singular subject “someone” → correct).
- Adjectives: small (modifies “variations”), old (modifies “block”).
- Adverbs: none.
- Prepositions: like, in (twice).
- Conjunctions: or.
- Articles: none with the quoted phrases but “a” appears within the idiom.
- Sentence check: Complex but not a run-on. Commas separate ideas; verbs match subjects.
This article explains the meaning, use, and simple examples of the idiom
- Nouns: article, meaning, use, examples, idiom.
- Pronouns: This (demonstrative pronoun referring to the current text).
- Verbs: explains (present tense, singular subject “article” → correct).
- Adjectives: simple (modifies “examples”).
- Articles: the.
- Prepositions: of.
- Sentence check: Clear, direct, grammatically correct.
It also checks grammar and parts of speech so you can use it easily and correctly
- Pronouns: It (refers to “this article”), you (second person).
- Nouns: grammar, parts, speech.
- Verbs: checks (present tense, singular subject “It” → correct), can (modal), use (base verb after modal) → correct.
- Adverbs: also, easily, correctly (modify verbs).
- Conjunctions: so (introduces purpose/result clause).
- Articles: none.
- Sentence check: Good. Modal verb used correctly.
What the idiom means (simple)
Definition:
- A chip off the old block describes a person who is similar to one of their parents or older family members. The similarity may be in looks, actions, habits, talents, or attitudes.
Parts of speech in the definition sentence above:
- Nouns: chip, block, person, parents, members, looks, actions, habits, talents, attitudes.
- Verbs: describes, is (implied). Present tense and agreement are correct.
- Prepositions: of (in the idiom), to (if used: “similar to”).
- Articles: a, the as used.
Simple example: “He is a chip off the old block.”
- He (pronoun, subject) / is (verb, present singular) / a (article) / chip (noun) / off (preposition) / the (article) / old (adjective) / block (noun).
- Verb check: is matches the singular subject He. The structure is simple and correct.
Where the phrase came from (short and simple)
We do not need external sources for a basic note. The idiom comes from a literal image: a piece (chip) cut from a larger stone block. The chip and the block match because they came from the same source. People used the image to mean a child looks or acts like a parent.
Grammar checks in these sentences
- Verbs are in past simple or present, used correctly.
- No complex clauses that could cause tense errors.
- Articles and prepositions are correct.
How to use the idiom in sentences (with analysis)
Below are many example sentences. After each, I label parts of speech and check verbs, articles, and prepositions.
- My son is a chip off the old block.
- My (possessive adjective), son (noun), is (verb, present singular), a (article), chip (noun), off (preposition), the (article), old (adjective), block (noun).
- Verb check: is matches son.
- She paints like her mother; she is a chip off the old block.
- She (pronoun) paints (verb, present) like (preposition) her (possessive adjective) mother (noun); she (pronoun) is (verb) a chip off the old block (noun phrase).
- Tense and agreement are correct. The semicolon joins two related clauses; both are complete.
- The young player was a chip off the old block, copying his father’s style.
- The (article) young (adjective) player (noun) was (verb, past) a chip off the old block (noun phrase), copying (present participle) his (possessive adjective) father’s (noun with possessive) style (noun).
- Verb check: was fits past-tense narrative.
- They joked that she is a chip off the old block when she told the same joke.
- They (pronoun) joked (verb, past) that (conjunction) she (pronoun) is (verb, present) a chip off the old block (noun phrase) when (subordinating conjunction) she (pronoun) told (verb, past) the (article) same (adjective) joke (noun).
- Tenses vary by clause but the sequence is logical: past reporting verb with present in the reported clause is acceptable for general truths.
Notes on tense mixing:
- You can use present tense when stating a general truth: She is a chip off the old block.
- Use past tense when telling a story: He was a chip off the old block when he sang like his father.
- Make sure that when you use perfect tenses, the past participles are correct (e.g., has copied, had learned).
Common mistakes and how to fix them
Using the phrase for non-family similarity
- Wrong: That storm is a chip off the old block.
- Why wrong: The idiom normally refers to people and family likeness.
- Fix: Use a clearer phrase: That storm is like the old one. or That car is a copy of the old model.
Changing words inside the idiom and losing meaning
- Wrong: He is a chip off the stone block.
- Why wrong: Adds unnecessary words that confuse the image.
- Fix: Stick to the common form: a chip off the old block.
Faulty agreement or tense
- Wrong: They was a chip off the old block.
- Error: was does not agree with plural subject They.
- Correct: They were a chip off the old block. or They were chips off the old block. (plural)
Using it as a direct adjective without noun
- Wrong: He is chip off the old block. (missing article)
- Correct: He is a chip off the old block. (include article a)
Grammar note: The idiom needs an article a before chip in most uses, because chip is a count noun here.
American vs British English
Short clear answer:
- Both American and British English use the idiom a chip off the old block. The phrase, meaning, and form are the same. Pronunciation or local variants may differ in faint ways, but that does not change grammar or use.
Example usages in both dialects (simple):
- American: He’s a chip off the old block.
- British: She’s a chip off the old block.
- Both sentences use contractions and the same structure.
Grammar check: No dialect needs different verb forms or articles for this idiom.
Idiomatic expressions related to the phrase
Similar idioms and simple meaning:
- Like father, like son. — The son is similar to the father. (Short, direct)
- Follow in someone’s footsteps. — To do what an older family member did.
- Runs in the family. — A trait or talent that many family members share.
Parts of speech notes for these idioms:
- They are short sentences or noun phrases. Verbs and articles are used as normal. For example: It runs in the family. — It (pronoun) runs (verb, present) in (preposition) the (article) family (noun).
Practical tips to remember and use the idiom
- Think of a small chip and a big block. The chip came from the block; they match. Use the image to remember the family link.
- Use it for people, not objects. It sounds odd to call a machine “a chip off the old block.” Stick to people.
- Include the article “a.” Say a chip off the old block, not chip off the old block alone.
- Match verbs to the subject. Singular subject → is/was; plural → are/were. Example: He was a chip off the old block. vs They were chips off the old block.
- Use simple verb tenses for clarity. Present tense for general facts, past tense for stories. Avoid unnecessary tense shifts in one sentence.
More contextual examples with full grammatical checks
Below are longer sample sentences with labels and a quick grammar check.
- At the family party, everyone said that the baby was a chip off the old block because she smiled the same way as her grandmother.
- At (preposition) the (article) family (noun) party (noun), everyone (pronoun) said (verb, past) that (conjunction) the (article) baby (noun) was (verb, past) a (article) chip (noun) off (preposition) the (article) old (adjective) block (noun) because (conjunction) she (pronoun) smiled (verb, past) the (article) same (adjective) way (noun) as (preposition) her (possessive adjective) grandmother (noun).
- Grammar check: Tenses are consistent in each clause. Subject-verb agreement correct.
- When he plays the piano, you hear his father’s touch; he is truly a chip off the old block.
- When (subordinating conjunction) he (pronoun) plays (verb, present) the (article) piano (noun), you (pronoun) hear (verb, present) his (possessive adjective) father’s (noun) touch (noun); he (pronoun) is (verb, present) truly (adverb) a chip off the old block (noun phrase).
- Grammar check: Present tense used for a habitual action. Semicolon joins two related independent clauses correctly.
- They had warned me that the team would be strong, and indeed the young player was a chip off the old block.
- They (pronoun) had (auxiliary, past perfect) warned (past participle) me (object pronoun) that (conjunction) the (article) team (noun) would (modal) be (base verb) strong (adjective), and (conjunction) indeed (adverb) the (article) young (adjective) player (noun) was (verb, past) a chip off the old block (noun phrase).
- Grammar check: Past perfect “had warned” is used correctly to show a prior action. The rest of sentence matches past narrative.
Rewriting to improve clarity and style (still simple)
Below is a short rewrite of a core section to show clearer style and careful grammar. I keep language simple.
Original: “Many writers and speakers use small variations like ‘a chip from the old block’ or say someone is ‘a chip off the old block’ in praise or in a joke.”
Rewritten (improved): “Writers and speakers often say ‘a chip off the old block’ or a small form like ‘a chip from the old block.’ People use the phrase to praise or to joke when someone looks or acts like a parent.”
- Analysis: Shorter sentences reduce run-on risk. Verbs: say (plural subject → correct), use (plural subject → correct). Articles and prepositions are precise.
Why the rewrite helps: Short sentences are easier to read. Active voice is clear. The main verb agrees with the subject.
Conclusion
Simple summary:
- A chip off the old block is an idiom for a person who is like a parent or older relative.
- Use the phrase for people, keep the article a, and match the verb to your subject and tense.
- Prefer simple sentences to make meaning clear. Use present tense for facts and past tense for stories.
- Remember the image of the chip and the block: same source, similar traits.
FAQs
- Q: What does a chip off the old block mean? A: It means a person is like a parent or older family member.
- Q: Can I use it for objects? A: No. It sounds odd for objects. Use it for people.
- Q: Do I always need the article “a”? A: Yes. Say a chip off the old block.
- Q: Is it formal or informal? A: It is common in both spoken and written English. It is slightly informal and friendly.
- Q: Can I say “chips off the old block” for more than one person? A: Yes. Use the plural: They are chips off the old block.
- Q: Are there variations? A: Minor ones like “a chip from the old block” exist, but the standard is “a chip off the old block.”
- Q: Which tense should I use? A: Use present for general facts (She is a chip off the old block). Use past for stories (He was a chip off the old block).
- Q: Can it be negative? A: You can say someone is not a chip off the old block to mean they are different from their parent.
- Q: Is it used in American and British English? A: Yes. Both use it the same way.
- Q: How do I avoid mistakes using it? A: Keep it simple: use the article a, use it for people, and check verb agreement.
