Through thick and thin means no matter what happens, in easy times and in difficult ones. It is an idiom about loyalty: someone stays by your side when life is good and when it is hard. It usually goes with the verbs stick with, stand by and support; in an essay, you can replace it with in good times and bad.
When would you say through thick and thin?
Write a sentence — we'll check that the expression fits the situation and suggest what to fix.
The check is taking longer than usual. Your feedback will appear here automatically.
stick with / stand by / support + someone + through thick and thin; stick together through thick and thin
- My best friend has stood by me through thick and thin since we were at school.
- Our small team stuck together through thick and thin during the first difficult year.
- They have supported their local football club through thick and thin for over twenty years.
What changed
First versionMy parents have supported me in thick and thin.
RevisionMy parents have supported me through thick and thin.
In can seem natural here, because many phrases about periods of life use it, such as in good times. But this idiom uses through: a loyal friend goes through everything together with you. Only the preposition changed.
A fair-weather friend is around while things are going well and disappears as soon as you need help. Through thick and thin describes the opposite: A real friend stays with you through thick and thin.
Your turn
Sam lent me money when I lost my job and celebrated with me when I found a new one. He's been with me through ___.
Show the answer
thick and thin — Sam was there for the speaker both in a bad situation and in a good one, which is exactly what the idiom means. The word order is fixed: thick comes first, then thin. Thin and thick sounds like a mistake.
Write about someone who supported you through a difficult period. Say who it was and how exactly they helped.
My grandmother has supported me through thick and thin: when I failed my exams, she paid for a tutor and cheered me up every evening.
Learn to use new words without mistakes
Write phrases with the words you are learning. LetsWords shows mistakes in usage and grammar, suggests corrections and explains them, and review helps the words stick.