Definition of the word chip off

The phrase "chip off the old block" or simply "chip off" is an idiomatic expression that originates from English folklore. The phrase compares a person to a small wooden carving carved from a larger block of wood, implying that they possess qualities that are reminiscent of their parent or ancestor. The phrase "chip off the old block" is believed to have originated in the late 1800s. It is based on the practice of carving wooden figurines, known as chips, from larger wooden blocks such as oak or lignum vitae. These chips were often carved to resemble animals, birds, or other objects, or even to depict people. The term "old block" refers to the larger wooden block from which the smaller carving, or chip, was produced. When someone is described as a "chip off the old block," it suggests that they possess some of the characteristics or qualities of their parent or ancestor. It can be applied both positively and negatively; for example, "he's a chip off the old block and has the same strong will" or "she's a chip off the old block and can be quite stubborn too." Overall, the phrase is a popular and enduring expression that reflects the close relationship between generations and inherited characteristics.