spitting image: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial, figurative
Quick answer
What does “spitting image” mean?
A person who looks exactly like another person (typically a parent or relative).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who looks exactly like another person (typically a parent or relative).
An exact or very close visual likeness; can sometimes be extended to mean a very close resemblance in character, behavior, or qualities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both variants use 'spitting image'. The older forms 'spit and image' or 'dead spit' are now archaic and rarely used.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects: strong informal emphasis on resemblance.
Frequency
Equally common and well-understood in both British and American English.
Grammar
How to Use “spitting image” in a Sentence
[Person X] is the spitting image of [Person Y].[Person X] looks the spitting image of [Person Y].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in informal conversation: 'He's the spitting image of the old CEO.'
Academic
Not used in formal academic writing.
Everyday
Very common in spoken language to comment on family resemblance.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “spitting image”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “spitting image”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “spitting image”
- Using it attributively: 'He is a spitting image of his dad.' (Correct: 'He is the spitting image of his dad.')
- Misspelling as 'splitting image'.
- Using with non-people: 'The building is the spitting image...' (possible but much less common).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The most accepted etymology is a corruption of 'spit and image', where 'spit' meant 'likeness' (as in, he's the very 'spit' of his father), possibly originating from the idea of a father 'spitting out' a child that looks just like him.
No, 'splitting image' is a common eggcorn (mishearing) of the standard phrase 'spitting image'.
It is almost exclusively used for people. Using it for objects ('This vase is the spitting image of mine') is possible but figurative and less common.
It is firmly informal and colloquial. Use 'exact likeness', 'identical to', or 'closely resembles' in formal writing.
A person who looks exactly like another person (typically a parent or relative).
Spitting image: in British English it is pronounced /ˌspɪt.ɪŋ ˈɪm.ɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌspɪt̬.ɪŋ ˈɪm.ɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chip off the old block (similar in character, not just looks)”
- “like two peas in a pod (very similar, often of two people)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'spit' as an old, informal word for 'likeness'. A 'spitting image' is a likeness so perfect it's as if the person was spat out of the other.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESEMBLANCE IS PHYSICAL REPRODUCTION (spitting/cloning).
Practice
Quiz
What is the correct usage of 'spitting image'?