friend in need

A person who is dependable and a good friend in difficult times. Taken from the proverb "a friend in need is a friend indeed." Michelle stayed with me in the hospital when I broke my ankle. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend in need is a friend indeed—yeah, right. Where were all of my so-called friends when I was dealing with legal troubles last summer? After I got out of the hospital, Sally checked up on me every day. Her kindness really epitomized that "a friend in need" saying, you know?

a ˌfriend in ˈneed (is a ˌfriend inˈdeed)

(saying) a friend who helps you when you are in trouble (is a real friend): I’ll always be grateful to Tom for helping me; a friend in need is a friend indeed!