inherit (something) from (someone)
1. To receive a genetically transmitted trait from one's parent. You have red hair, right? That's a recessive trait, which means you inherited a gene for red hair from each of your parents. Huntington's disease is genetic, I'm afraid. So there's a 50% chance that Ryan has already inherited it from his mother. You inherit eye color from your parents, right?
2. By extension, to behave in the same manner as one's relative. Oh, she definitely inherited her fiery temper from her mother. You certainly didn't inherit your artistic ability from me. I can barely draw stick figures! Chemistry II is a challenging course. But if you inherited your sister's work ethic, you'll do just fine.
3. To be given something from a deceased person's estate. I can't believe I inherited all this money from Aunt Edna—I hardly even knew her! You know, you stand to inherit this estate from your grandfather. I know I won't inherit much from my parents—steady paychecks eluded them for most of their lives.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
inherit something from someone
1. to receive something from the estate of a person who has died. I inherited this silver bowl from my aunt. Liz inherited her house from her parents.
2. to receive a genetic or behavioral trait from a relative. I inherited my stubbornness from my father's side of the family. My dark hair was inherited from my father.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.