20 love idioms
Love is a universal language, and whether you’re speaking English or any other language, talking about love can be both exciting and emotional. In English, there are many idioms that describe different feelings, actions, and situations related to love and romance. An idiom is a group of words that have a special meaning that isn’t always clear from just looking at the words themselves.
In this article, we’ll explore 20 love idioms. You’ll learn what they mean and see examples of how they can be used. By understanding these idioms, you’ll be able to talk about love and relationships in a way that feels natural and fun. Let’s get started!
1. Head over heels in love
Very much in love, crazy in love.
Ever since they met, Mark has been head over heels in love with Kate.
2. Butterflies in the stomach
A nervous, fluttery feeling, often when in love or thinking about someone you love.
She felt butterflies in her stomach, a mixture of excitement and anxiety, as she prepared for their first date.
3. Love at first sight
To fall in love with someone the moment you see them for the first time.
They both felt an undeniable spark at their first encounter, a case of love at first sight.
4. To fall for someone
To develop romantic feelings for someone.
After weeks of chatting, she realized she was slowly falling for her charming colleague.
5. Someone’s heart skips a beat
A sudden feeling of excitement or nervousness, often when you fall in love with someone or you are very attracted to someone.
Her heart skipped a beat when he walked into the room, a mix of excitement and trepidation filling her chest.
6. To pop the question
To ask someone to marry you.
After years of dating, he decided to pop the question during a romantic dinner.
7. To be smitten
To be deeply in love or infatuated with someone.
He was completely smitten, finding it hard to focus on anything other than his newfound romance.
8. To have a crush
To feel attracted toward someone romantically, usually secretly.
For months, he harbored a crush, unable to bring himself to confess his feelings.
9. Lovebirds
A term for a couple who show affection openly.
The lovebirds were inseparable, strolling down the beach hand in hand.
10. To be sweet on someone
To like someone romantically.
The way he spoke about her, it was clear he was sweet on her.
11. To break someone’s heart
To cause someone emotional pain by ending a romantic relationship.
The sudden breakup shattered him, leaving him heartbroken and disillusioned.
12. To play hard to get
To act like you’re not interested in someone to make them want you more, to pretend not to be interested.
His attempts to win her over were thwarted by her playing hard to get, making him work harder for her affection.
13. To be swept off one’s feet
To be overwhelmed by romantic feelings or charm.
His romantic gestures and kind words swept her off her feet, igniting a passionate relationship.
14. To wear your heart on your sleeve
To openly show your emotions, especially love or affection.
She admired his honesty, noting how he wore his heart on his sleeve, never hiding his emotions.
15. To be an item
To be a couple or in a relationship.
After months of dating, they officially became an item, announcing their relationship to friends and family.
16. To be lovesick
To feel sorrowful or unhappy due to love, often due to separation or unrequited feelings.
Since the breakup, she’s been lovesick, finding it hard to move on.
17. To be crazy about someone
To be deeply in love or infatuated with someone.
His friends knew he was crazy about her, seeing the way he spoke and acted around her.
18. To be on the rocks
When a relationship is in trouble or struggling.
Months of arguments and misunderstandings had left their relationship on the rocks, hanging by a thread.
19. Puppy love
An early, innocent form of romantic love, often felt by younger people. It’s usually not considered serious.
Their relationship started as puppy love in high school, blossoming into a mature romance over time.
20. To steal someone’s heart
To make someone fall in love with you.
From the first time they met, he stole her heart, capturing her affections effortlessly.