Have a Lot in Common: Meaning and Examples

Meaning 1：share many similarities (have a lot in common)

have a lot in common 🔊

/hæv ə lɒt ɪn ˈkɒmən/

phr.

To share many similarities, interests, or experiences with someone or something.

Two friends chatting with shared hobbies like music and books

share many similarities 🔊

➕

/ʃɛr ˈmɛni ˌsɪmɪˈlærɪtiz/

phr.

To have many shared characteristics, interests, or experiences with another person or group.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Common' comes from Latin 'communis', meaning 'shared by all'.

💡 Mnemonic

Two friends discovering same hobbies, like puzzle pieces fitting together. 'Common' ground.

📖 Example

We met at a cooking class and quickly realized we have a lot in common, from our favorite movies to our weekend hiking habits. 🔊 We met at a cooking class and quickly realized we share many similarities, from our favorite movies to our weekend hiking habits.

🔗 Collocations

have something in common – To share a specific similarity

have little in common – To share very few similarities

find common ground – To discover shared interests or opinions

🔄 Synonyms

share similarities (phr.) – To have common features or qualities

relate to (phr.) – To feel a connection because of shared experiences

be on the same wavelength (phr.) – To think or feel in the same way as someone

🚫 Antonyms

have nothing in common (phr.) – To share no similarities

be totally different (phr.) – To have no shared characteristics

clash (v.) – To have a strong disagreement due to different interests

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase gained popularity in 20th-century English as a way to express shared interests; it's a cornerstone of social bonding conversations.