Next of kin

Meaning

The idiom "next of kin" refers to a person or people who are the closest relatives to someone who has passed away, usually in order of proximity. It can also refer to someone who is appointed to take care of someone else's affairs if they cannot do it themselves. This can include legal matters, financial matters, and other important decisions.

Usage

• "I need to inform my next of kin about my recent change in address."
• "The judge asked for the names and contact information of the deceased's next of kin."
• "We named our daughter as our next of kin in case anything happens to us while we're traveling."
• "When my husband passed away, I had to rely on my sister as my next of kin to handle his affairs."
• "I made sure to update my will with the names and contact information of my next of kin so that my wishes would be carried out after my death."

Roots and History

The idiom "next of kin" has been in use since at least the 17th century. It was first used in legal documents to refer to someone who had priority over others in matters of inheritance or other legal proceedings. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to refer to anyone who was closely related to someone who had passed away, regardless of their role in legal or financial matters.

Synonyms in English

• Closest living relatives
• Immediate family members
• Direct descendants
• Primary beneficiaries
• Appointed guardians

Synonyms in other languages

• French: "les plus proches parents" (closest living parents)
• German: "die nächsten Verwandten" (closest living relatives)
• Italian: "i parenti più vicini" (closest living parents)
• Spanish: "los parientes más cercanos" (closest living relatives)
• Portuguese: "os parientes mais próximos" (closest living relatives)

Similar Idioms

• next door

• broken heart

• never say die