spitting image

noun

, Informal.

1. spit ¹( def 13 ).

spitting image

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spitting image¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of spitting image¹

C19: modification of spit and image, from spit ¹(as in the phrase the very spit of, the exact likeness of (someone))

Idioms and Phrases

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.

Example Sentences

And our son is such the spitting image of him.

From Seattle Times

“First, your grandmother is the spitting image of Snow White: pale skin, black hair, beautiful...”

From Literature

"He looked like the spitting image of a man I had a holiday romance with years ago. I liked the fact he spent his life helping others, the altruism attracted me to him."

From BBC

They decorated a cookie cake in the spitting image of the Eagles center, and pictures of it posted to social media quickly went viral.

From Seattle Times

The characters are the spitting image of Prince Harry and Ms. Markle, right down to the latter’s description as a “sorority girl, actress, influencer, victim,” reported The Spectator.

From Washington Times