Cut From the Same Cloth

Meaning of Idiom ‘Cut From the Same Cloth’

To be cut from the same cloth means to be very similar; of the same kind; of a similar nature; to have similar characteristics, viewpoints, values, opinions, attitudes etc. ¹,²,³

Usage Notes

Also possible is ‘cut from a different cloth’ to mean very different.

Examples Of Use

“My brother and I are definitely cut from the same cloth. We even have the same job.”

“As a musician, he’s cut from the same cloth as his musical heroes.”

“I don’t know why you would trust Peter. He’s cut from the same cloth as his father. They both lie and steal to get by.”

“Don’t assume I’m racist just because I come from the deep south. We’re not all cut from the same cloth, you know.”

“He’s a typical modern teenager. Cut from the same cloth as all the other kids who want to accomplish big things with little to no effort.”

Origin

Used since the 1900s, this idiom alludes to two pieces of clothing being cut, and thus made, from the same piece of cloth, thus being very similar in nature.

References

1. Heacock, Paul. Cambridge Dictionary of American Idioms]. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2010.
2. Ammer, Christine. American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2013.
3. Ayto, John. [http://amzn.to/2vdGvI7 Oxford Dictionary of English Idioms]. Oxford: Oxford U, 2010.