Relationships are the threads that weave the tapestry of our lives, and idioms related to them provide colorful expressions to describe the intricate web of human connections.
In this listicle, we’ll explore idioms for relationships that have stood the test of time, shedding light on love, friendship, and the quirks of human interaction.
What is an idiom for relationships?
Idioms are phrases or expressions that go beyond the literal meaning of words. They often convey deeper emotions, cultural insights, or common human experiences in a creative and concise manner.
When it comes to relationships, idioms can capture the essence of love, friendship, and everything in between.
Let’s delve into a list of idioms related to relationships, along with their meanings and usage:
| Idiom | Meaning | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Love is blind. | Love can make people overlook flaws. | She’s so infatuated with him that she doesn’t see his faults; they say love is blind. |
| Head over heels in love. | Deeply and passionately in love. | Ever since they met, they’ve been head over heels in love with each other. |
| A match made in heaven. | A couple perfect for each other, as if destined. | Their compatibility is astounding; they truly seem like a match made in heaven. |
| Tied the knot. | Got married. | After years of dating, they finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony. |
| Love at first sight. | Falling in love the moment you see someone. | When they met, it was love at first sight; they couldn’t take their eyes off each other. |
| Break a heart. | Cause emotional pain or sadness, often through a breakup. | Ending the relationship was difficult, but he didn’t want to break her heart. |
| Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve. | Show emotions openly. | She’s not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve; everyone knows how she feels. |
| The apple of one’s eye. | Someone cherished above all others. | His daughter is the apple of his eye; he adores her. |
| Have a crush on. | Have romantic feelings for someone. | Ever since they met, he’s had a crush on her. |
| A shoulder to cry on. | Provides emotional support during difficult times. | When I lost my job, she was a shoulder to cry on and helped me through it. |
| Birds of a feather flock together. | People with similar interests associate with each other. | It’s no surprise they became friends; birds of a feather flock together. |
| Absence makes the heart grow fonder. | Being apart intensifies feelings for someone. | During their long-distance relationship, they found that absence truly makes the heart grow fonder. |
| A penny for your thoughts. | Asking someone to share their thoughts or feelings. | You seem lost in thought; a penny for your thoughts? |
| All is fair in love and war. | Extreme actions in love and conflict. | She decided to compete for the job; after all, all is fair in love and war. |
| Better late than never. | It’s better to arrive late than not at all. | He finally apologized for his actions, and I appreciate that; better late than never. |
| Bury the hatchet. | Make peace after a dispute. | After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet and become friends. |
| Hit it off. | Immediately get along well with someone. | When they first met, they hit it off instantly and became inseparable friends. |
| Love conquers all. | Love can overcome any obstacle. | Despite the difficulties they faced, their love conquered all. |
| Two peas in a pod. | People who are very similar or close. | They’re like two peas in a pod, always together and sharing everything. |
| Third wheel. | Feels left out in a close relationship. | I always feel like a third wheel when they’re together; they’re so wrapped up in each other. |
| Love triangle. | A romantic situation involving three people. | The love triangle between them became more complicated as feelings grew stronger. |
| Out of the blue. | Something unexpected or surprising. | His proposal came out of the blue; I had no idea he was planning to ask me. |
| Play hard to get. | Pretend to be less interested to attract attention. | She decided to play hard to get to see if he was really interested in her. |
| The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach. | One way to win affection is through food. | He knows that the way to her heart is through her stomach, so he’s cooking her favorite meal. |
| To have a soft spot for someone. | Feel fondness or affection for someone. | Despite his tough exterior, he has a soft spot for animals and always helps strays. |
| A rolling stone gathers no moss. | Constantly moving avoids accumulating burdens. | He’s always on the move, living by the motto that a rolling stone gathers no moss. |
| It takes two to tango. | Both parties share responsibility in a situation. | In their argument, it takes two to tango; they both contributed to the misunderstanding. |
A strong relationship is like a sturdy bridge connecting two hearts, built with trust and understanding. If you’re interested in more comparisons for describing relationships, you can visit this link: Similes for relationships. And for a variety of metaphors related to relationships, you can explore this link: Metaphors for relationships.
Idioms for Relationships
1. Love is blind.
Meaning: Love can make people overlook flaws or imperfections in the person they love.
In a Sentence: She’s so infatuated with him that she doesn’t see his faults; they say love is blind.
2. Head over heels in love.
Meaning: To be deeply and passionately in love with someone.
In a Sentence: Ever since they met, they’ve been head over heels in love with each other.
3. A match made in heaven.
Meaning: A couple who seems perfect for each other, as if destiny brought them together.
In a Sentence: Their compatibility is astounding; they truly seem like a match made in heaven.
4. Tied the knot.
Meaning: To get married.
In a Sentence: After years of dating, they finally tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony.
5. Love at first sight.
Meaning: Falling in love with someone the moment you see them.
In a Sentence: When they met, it was love at first sight; they couldn’t take their eyes off each other.
6. Break a heart.
Meaning: To cause someone emotional pain or sadness, often through a breakup.
In a Sentence: Ending the relationship was difficult, but he didn’t want to break her heart.
7. Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve.
Meaning: To show one’s emotions openly and without reservation.
In a Sentence: She’s not afraid to wear her heart on her sleeve; everyone knows how she feels.
8. The apple of one’s eye.
Meaning: Someone who is cherished and loved above all others.
In a Sentence: His daughter is the apple of his eye; he adores her.
9. Have a crush on.
Meaning: To have romantic feelings or a temporary infatuation with someone.
In a Sentence: Ever since they met, he’s had a crush on her.
10. A shoulder to cry on.
Meaning: Someone who provides emotional support and comfort during difficult times.
In a Sentence: When I lost my job, she was a shoulder to cry on and helped me through it.
11. Birds of a feather flock together.
Meaning: People who have similar interests and characteristics tend to associate with each other.
In a Sentence: It’s no surprise they became friends; birds of a feather flock together.
12. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Meaning: Being apart from someone you love can intensify your feelings for them.
In a Sentence: During their long-distance relationship, they found that absence truly makes the heart grow fonder.
13. A penny for your thoughts.
Meaning: Asking someone to share their thoughts or feelings.
In a Sentence: You seem lost in thought; a penny for your thoughts?
14. All is fair in love and war.
Meaning: In matters of love and conflict, people may do unexpected or extreme things.
In a Sentence: She decided to compete for the job; after all, all is fair in love and war.
15. Better late than never.
Meaning: It’s better to arrive or do something later than expected than not at all.
In a Sentence: He finally apologized for his actions, and I appreciate that; better late than never.
16. Bury the hatchet.
Meaning: To make peace or reconcile after a dispute or conflict.
In a Sentence: After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet and become friends.
17. Hit it off.
Meaning: To immediately get along well with someone.
In a Sentence: When they first met, they hit it off instantly and became inseparable friends.
18. Love conquers all.
Meaning: Love has the power to overcome any obstacle or challenge.
In a Sentence: Despite the difficulties they faced, their love conquered all.
19. Two peas in a pod.
Meaning: Two people who are very similar or have a close bond.
In a Sentence: They’re like two peas in a pod, always together and sharing everything.
20. Third wheel.
Meaning: A person who feels left out or awkward when two others are in a close relationship.
In a Sentence: I always feel like a third wheel when they’re together; they’re so wrapped up in each other.
21. Love triangle.
Meaning: A romantic situation involving three people, often with one person torn between two others.
In a Sentence: The love triangle between them became more complicated as feelings grew stronger.
22. Out of the blue.
Meaning: Something unexpected or surprising.
In a Sentence: His proposal came out of the blue; I had no idea he was planning to ask me.
23. Play hard to get.
Meaning: To pretend to be less interested or available to attract someone’s attention.
In a Sentence: She decided to play hard to get to see if he was really interested in her.
24. The way to someone’s heart is through their stomach.
Meaning: One way to win someone’s affection is by cooking or providing them with food.
In a Sentence: He knows that the way to her heart is through her stomach, so he’s cooking her favorite meal.
25. To have a soft spot for someone.
Meaning: To feel a particular fondness or affection for someone.
In a Sentence: Despite his tough exterior, he has a soft spot for animals and always helps strays.
26. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Meaning: Someone who keeps moving or changing is less likely to accumulate burdens or responsibilities.
In a Sentence: He’s always on the move, living by the motto that a rolling stone gathers no moss.
27. It takes two to tango.
Meaning: Both parties involved in a situation or conflict share responsibility.
In a Sentence: In their argument, it takes two to tango; they both contributed to the misunderstanding.
Quizzes About The Idioms in The Article
Quiz 1:
Question: What does the idiom “Love is blind” mean?
- Love can see flaws clearly.
- Love can make people overlook flaws.
- Love is always perfect.
Answer: 2. Love can make people overlook flaws.
Quiz 2:
Question: What does the expression “Tied the knot” signify?
- To tie a physical knot.
- To get married.
- To end a relationship.
Answer: 2. To get married.
Quiz 3:
Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Head over heels in love”?
- To have a crush on someone.
- To be deeply and passionately in love with someone.
- To have mixed feelings about someone.
Answer: 2. To be deeply and passionately in love with someone.
Quiz 4:
Question: What does the idiom “Break a heart” imply?
- To repair a broken heart.
- To cause someone emotional pain or sadness, often through a breakup.
- To express love and affection.
Answer: 2. To cause someone emotional pain or sadness, often through a breakup.
Quiz 5:
Question: What is the meaning of “The apple of one’s eye”?
- A favorite fruit.
- Someone cherished and loved above all others.
- A famous saying.
Answer: 2. Someone cherished and loved above all others.
Quiz 6:
Question: What does the idiom “A shoulder to cry on” signify?
- A literal shoulder to cry on.
- Someone who provides emotional support during difficult times.
- Someone who makes you cry.
Answer: 2. Someone who provides emotional support during difficult times.
Quiz 7:
Question: What does “Better late than never” mean?
- It’s better to arrive late than not at all.
- Being early is better.
- It’s better to never arrive.
Answer: 1. It’s better to arrive late than not at all.
Quiz 8:
Question: What is the meaning of the idiom “Two peas in a pod”?
- Two people who have nothing in common.
- Two people who are very similar or have a close bond.
- Two vegetables in a pod.
Answer: 2. Two people who are very similar or have a close bond.
Quiz 9:
Question: What does the expression “Play hard to get” signify?
- To play sports competitively.
- To pretend to be less interested or available to attract someone’s attention.
- To play a game with friends.
Answer: 2. To pretend to be less interested or available to attract someone’s attention.
Quiz 10:
Question: What does the idiom “It takes two to tango” mean?
- One person can dance alone.
- Both parties involved in a situation or conflict share responsibility.
- Tango is a difficult dance.
Answer: 2. Both parties involved in a situation or conflict share responsibility.
Conclusion
Idioms for relationships offer a glimpse into the complexities of human connections, from the sweetness of love at first sight to the challenges of a love triangle. These expressions have woven themselves into our language, capturing the essence of love, friendship, and everything in between.
