family

the black sheep (of the family)

someone who is thought to be a bad person by the rest of their family. My father was the black sheep - he ran away at 16 to become an actor and his parents never forgave him.

See also: black, sheep

a family man

a man who likes to spend a lot of time with his wife and children. He was known as a devoted family man who was closely involved in community life.

See also: man

in the family way (old-fashioned)

pregnant. Have you heard that Jean's in the family way?

See also: way

run in the family

if a particular quality or ability runs in the family, a lot of people in that family have it. Athletic ability runs in the family: his father played basketball in college and his mother was a high school athlete.

See also: run

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in the family way

pregnant. Have you heard that Jean's in the family way?

Usage notes: used by people who think it is not polite to say pregnant, or for humorous effect, and sometimes used in the form put someone in the family way to make someone pregnant: They plan to get married now that he's put her in the family way.

See also: way

run in the family

to be a common quality among members of a particular family. His father and uncle were basketball stars in college, so athletic ability runs in the family.

See also: run