spitting image

American  

noun

Informal.

1. spit.

---

spitting image British  

noun

1. Also called: spit.   spit and image.  informal a person who bears a strong physical resemblance to another, esp to a relative

---

spitting image Idioms  

1. A precise resemblance, especially in closely related persons. For example, Dirk is the spitting image of his grandfather. This idiom alludes to the earlier use of the noun spit for “likeness,” in turn probably derived from an old proverb, “as like as one as if he had been spit out of his mouth” (c. 1400). The current idiom dates from about 1900.

---

Etymology

Origin of spitting image

1925–30; from the phrase spit and image ( see spit ¹) by confusion of spit and with spittin'; compare earlier the very spit of the exact likeness of

Example Sentences

Some witnesses did describe Smith as a good mother; her sister told the court Joshlin was the spitting image of her mum when she was young.

From BBC • May 28, 2025

Given that Martin is both an investor in and adviser to Colossal, it feels awfully convenient that the company is heavily promoting wolves that are the spitting image of those in his fantasy series.

From Slate • Apr. 10, 2025

And after all, Zuckerberg has long considered himself the spitting image of Roman Emperor Augustus Caesar so it's only right.

From Salon • Jan. 15, 2025

And our son is such the spitting image of him.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 4, 2024

“You know, you are the spitting image of your mama.”

From "Wish" by Barbara O'Connor