In everyday life, Americans use special sayings to describe how things or people stick together. These are called idioms. Idioms don’t always mean what the words say. They often show feelings or actions in fun and colorful ways. One group of idioms talks about glue. While glue is something we use in crafts or school, these sayings use it to describe strong bonds between people, ideas, or things.
In the United States, you might hear someone say, “She’s the glue that holds the family together.” That doesn’t mean she’s sticky. It means she helps keep everyone close and connected. In this article, we’ll look at some glue idioms that are common in America. These idioms will help you understand how language can stick people together, just like glue on paper.
Idioms About Glue
1. Stick together
Meaning: Stay close and support each other
Example Sentence:
- Families should stick together during hard times.
- My friends and I always stick together at school.
Other ways to say: Stay united, keep close
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom compares people staying united to glue holding things in place.
Usage: Common in family or friendship settings.
2. Glue that holds (something) together
Meaning: Someone or something that keeps a group strong and connected
Example Sentence:
- Mom is the glue that holds our family together.
- Coach Smith is the glue that keeps the team focused.
Other ways to say: The bond, the heart of the group
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in the USA to show how important someone is to a group.
Usage: Often used to describe leaders or caring family members.
3. Stick like glue
Meaning: Stay very close to someone or something
Example Sentence:
- That puppy sticks to me like glue!
- The little kid stuck to his mom like glue at the fair.
Other ways to say: Stay close, not leave someone’s side
Fun Fact/Origin: Kids often use this to talk about clingy pets or siblings.
Usage: Used when someone won’t leave you alone or is very attached.
4. Come unglued
Meaning: Lose control of emotions or get upset
Example Sentence:
- He came unglued when his toy broke.
- I almost came unglued after losing my homework.
Other ways to say: Lose it, get upset
Fun Fact/Origin: Just like glue breaks apart, this means someone is breaking down emotionally.
Usage: Used when someone becomes very emotional or angry.
5. Glued to the screen
Meaning: Watching something very closely, especially on TV or a phone
Example Sentence:
- He was glued to the screen during the Super Bowl.
- She’s always glued to her phone after school.
Other ways to say: Can’t look away, really focused
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in the USA to describe someone addicted to TV or devices.
Usage: Mostly used for watching screens or being distracted by electronics.
6. Stick like Velcro
Meaning: Stay very close, hard to separate
Example Sentence:
- Those twins stick like Velcro.
- My toddler sticks to me like Velcro at the store.
Other ways to say: Super clingy, always together
Fun Fact/Origin: Velcro is used on shoes and bags and is very sticky—like glue.
Usage: Often said about kids or best friends.
7. Stick to someone like white on rice
Meaning: Stay super close or follow someone closely
Example Sentence:
- The bodyguard stuck to the star like white on rice.
- That little boy sticks to his sister like white on rice.
Other ways to say: Always nearby, never far
Fun Fact/Origin: A fun and playful American Southern saying.
Usage: Describes very close relationships or followers.
8. Like glue on paper
Meaning: Something or someone that’s hard to separate or always sticks
Example Sentence:
- They’ve been best friends since kindergarten—like glue on paper.
- The gum was like glue on paper and wouldn’t come off.
Other ways to say: Tight bond, stuck for good
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by how glue behaves with paper in crafts or school.
Usage: Common with friendships or lasting connections.
9. Stick it out
Meaning: Stay with something until the end, even if it’s hard
Example Sentence:
- I didn’t like practice, but I stuck it out.
- He stuck out the project even when it got boring.
Other ways to say: Hang in there, keep going
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of something staying stuck until the finish.
Usage: Often used in sports or school settings.
10. Stuck together like peanut butter and jelly
Meaning: Always together, perfect pair
Example Sentence:
- We’ve been stuck together like peanut butter and jelly since second grade.
- Those two are always together—like PB&J.
Other ways to say: Perfect match, inseparable
Fun Fact/Origin: Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are loved across the USA.
Usage: Often used to describe best friends or siblings.
11. Stick like a barnacle
Meaning: Never leave someone’s side
Example Sentence:
- My dog sticks to me like a barnacle.
- He’s stuck like a barnacle since he came over.
Other ways to say: Clingy, never far away
Fun Fact/Origin: Barnacles are sea creatures that attach tightly to rocks or boats.
Usage: Used to describe someone very attached.
12. Stuck fast
Meaning: Held very tightly in place
Example Sentence:
- The gum was stuck fast to my shoe.
- Her backpack was stuck fast in the locker.
Other ways to say: Firmly attached, wouldn’t budge
Fun Fact/Origin: Common phrase used for things that won’t come off easily.
Usage: Used for objects or people who won’t let go.
13. Sticking point
Meaning: A problem that stops people from agreeing
Example Sentence:
- The cost was a sticking point in the deal.
- Curfew became a sticking point between her and her parents.
Other ways to say: Issue, problem
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to something that “sticks” and won’t let an agreement move forward.
Usage: Used in disagreements or deals.
14. Stick to your guns
Meaning: Stay firm in your decision
Example Sentence:
- Even when others disagreed, she stuck to her guns.
- He stuck to his guns about finishing the project his way.
Other ways to say: Stand firm, don’t give in
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old war sayings, meaning to stay in your spot no matter what.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t back down.
15. Stick in someone’s mind
Meaning: Something that is hard to forget
Example Sentence:
- That song stuck in my mind all day.
- Her kind words really stuck in my mind.
Other ways to say: Hard to forget, memorable
Fun Fact/Origin: Like glue keeps something in place, memories can “stick” too.
Usage: Used for strong memories or experiences.
16. Stick with it
Meaning: Keep trying, don’t give up
Example Sentence:
- Math was tough, but I stuck with it.
- He told me to stick with it and finish the book.
Other ways to say: Keep going, don’t quit
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports and school encouragement in the U.S.
Usage: Common in advice to kids or students.
17. Stick in your craw
Meaning: Something that really bothers you
Example Sentence:
- That unfair rule stuck in my craw.
- It really stuck in her craw when no one said thank you.
Other ways to say: Annoy, upset
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom comes from old sayings about things being hard to swallow.
Usage: Used when something is hard to accept.
18. Stick out like a sore thumb
Meaning: Look very different or not fit in
Example Sentence:
- His bright shirt stuck out like a sore thumb at the wedding.
- I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb at the party.
Other ways to say: Be obvious, not blend in
Fun Fact/Origin: A sore thumb is easy to notice—just like this idiom means.
Usage: Used when something doesn’t match its surroundings.
19. Stick by someone
Meaning: Support someone, even in tough times
Example Sentence:
- She stuck by her best friend during the hard times.
- I’ll always stick by my brother.
Other ways to say: Stay loyal, stand by
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in the USA when talking about strong friendships or loyalty.
Usage: Used in family, friendships, or even in stories.
20. Stick to the plan
Meaning: Follow the plan exactly
Example Sentence:
- We stuck to the plan and finished on time.
- He told us to stick to the plan during the project.
Other ways to say: Follow the plan, stay on track
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in sports, school, and work in the U.S.
Usage: Used when you want someone to not change the plan.
21. Stick to your word
Meaning: Do what you say you will
Example Sentence:
- If you promise something, you should stick to your word.
- He stuck to his word and helped me move.
Other ways to say: Keep your promise, be honest
Fun Fact/Origin: In American culture, keeping your word is seen as important and respectful.
Usage: Used when someone follows through on a promise.
22. Stick like syrup
Meaning: Hard to separate, very clingy
Example Sentence:
- That spilled juice stuck to the table like syrup.
- My little brother sticks to me like syrup at the zoo.
Other ways to say: Hard to shake off, extra sticky
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by thick, sticky American maple syrup.
Usage: Mostly used in playful or silly ways.
23. Stick something on
Meaning: Attach something quickly
Example Sentence:
- He stuck a note on the fridge.
- I stuck the sticker on my binder.
Other ways to say: Attach, place
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used when talking about crafts, reminders, or school.
Usage: Used for attaching items like notes or decorations.
24. Stick in the mud
Meaning: A person who doesn’t like change or fun
Example Sentence:
- Don’t be a stick in the mud—come to the party!
- He’s such a stick in the mud when it comes to trying new things.
Other ways to say: Party pooper, boring
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying makes you think of someone stuck and not moving.
Usage: Used when someone won’t try something fun.
25. Sticky situation
Meaning: A tricky or hard problem
Example Sentence:
- Forgetting my homework was a sticky situation.
- He got into a sticky situation after lying.
Other ways to say: Tough spot, hard time
Fun Fact/Origin: Sticky here means hard to get out of—like glue or gum.
Usage: Used for school problems, arguments, or small troubles.
26. Stick your neck out
Meaning: Take a risk or help someone even if it’s risky
Example Sentence:
- She stuck her neck out to help her friend.
- He stuck his neck out by speaking up.
Other ways to say: Take a chance, be brave
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine sticking your neck out—it makes you vulnerable.
Usage: Used when someone takes a brave step or helps others.
27. Stick around
Meaning: Stay in a place or wait
Example Sentence:
- I’ll stick around until my mom comes.
- We stuck around after class to ask the teacher questions.
Other ways to say: Stay, hang out
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in U.S. schools and homes for saying “don’t leave yet.”
Usage: Used when waiting for someone or something.
28. Stick together like glue
Meaning: Stay very close as a group
Example Sentence:
- Our soccer team sticks together like glue.
- During the field trip, we stuck together like glue.
Other ways to say: Inseparable, always together
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by glue holding things firmly—it’s used to talk about groups that stay close.
Usage: Great for describing teams, friends, or family bonds.
Quiz: Idioms About Glue
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. Each question checks how well you understand glue idioms. These are used often in the USA and show strong bonds or sticky situations.
Question Key
1. What does “stick together” mean?
A) Use tape for a craft
B) Stay close and support each other
C) Walk in a straight line
2. If someone says, “She’s the glue that holds our team together,” what do they mean?
A) She likes crafts
B) She is the one who keeps everyone connected
C) She brings glue to practice
3. What does it mean if a person is “glued to the screen”?
A) They can’t stop watching something
B) They spilled glue on the screen
C) They cleaned the screen
4. If you “stick to your word,” what are you doing?
A) Keeping your promise
B) Writing something down
C) Being silent
5. What does it mean to be in a “sticky situation”?
A) You’re covered in glue
B) You’re in a hard or tricky spot
C) You’re cleaning up a mess
6. What does “come unglued” mean?
A) Calm down
B) Break apart physically
C) Lose control or get very upset
7. If friends are “like peanut butter and jelly,” what does it mean?
A) They like sandwiches
B) They are always together
C) They are hungry
8. What does “stick like Velcro” mean?
A) Stay close and hard to separate
B) Keep your shoes clean
C) Attach labels to boxes
9. If someone tells you to “stick with it,” what should you do?
A) Stop immediately
B) Quit and go home
C) Keep trying and not give up
10. What does it mean to “stick your neck out”?
A) Look up high
B) Take a risk or help someone
C) Stretch after sitting
Answer Key
- B) Stay close and support each other
- B) She is the one who keeps everyone connected
- A) They can’t stop watching something
- A) Keeping your promise
- B) You’re in a hard or tricky spot
- C) Lose control or get very upset
- B) They are always together
- A) Stay close and hard to separate
- C) Keep trying and not give up
- B) Take a risk or help someone
Wrapping Up
Idioms about glue are fun and helpful ways to show how people stay connected or get stuck in tough spots. In the USA, these sayings help describe strong friendships, family bonds, and tricky situations in a simple way. Whether you’re “sticking together like glue” or facing a “sticky situation,” these idioms help people explain feelings and moments in real life.
Now you know what these glue idioms mean and how to use them. So next time you hear someone say, “Stick with it,” you’ll know they’re cheering you on to keep going.
