Idioms add sparkle and humor to everyday conversation, and nowhere is that sparkle more welcome than in talk about love and marriage. From “tying the knot” to “living happily ever after,” marriage‑related idioms capture the excitement, jitters, commitment, and lifelong teamwork that come with saying “I do.” Learning these expressions helps couples, wedding planners, writers, and anyone curious about matrimony to describe feelings and situations with color and flair.
Whether you’re planning a ceremony, celebrating an anniversary, or simply chatting about relationships, the following idioms will enrich your vocabulary and let you speak about marriage in vivid, memorable ways. After the list, try the exercise to see how many idioms you can use correctly—then share them with your own better half!
Idioms for Marriage
1. Tie the knot
Meaning: To get married.
In a Sentence: After dating for seven years, Maya and Carlos finally decided to tie the knot in a sunset ceremony overlooking the bay, surrounded by friends who had watched their love story unfold from the very beginning.
Other Ways to Say: Get hitched, Say “I do”
2. Walk down the aisle
Meaning: To proceed to the altar for a wedding ceremony.
In a Sentence: The moment Lily walked down the aisle, her father by her side and the string quartet playing softly, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Other Ways to Say: Head to the altar, Make the march
3. Pop the question
Meaning: To propose marriage.
In a Sentence: During a quiet picnic in the park, Devin nervously popped the question with a ring hidden inside a chocolate truffle, and Ava’s delighted “yes” echoed across the lake.
Other Ways to Say: Propose, Ask for someone’s hand
4. Ball and chain
Meaning: A humorous (sometimes negative) way to refer to one’s spouse.
In a Sentence: Greg jokingly called himself the “ball and chain” while lugging three suitcases on their honeymoon, but everyone could see the grin of pride on his face.
Other Ways to Say: Old ball and chain, Better half (light‑hearted)
5. Match made in heaven
Meaning: A perfect couple or partnership.
In a Sentence: When the pastry chef fell in love with the coffee‑shop owner, their friends agreed it was a match made in heaven—croissants and cappuccinos forever.
Other Ways to Say: Perfect pair, Ideal couple
6. Better half
Meaning: One’s spouse or significant other.
In a Sentence: Whenever Liam introduces Zoe as his better half, he means it literally—she keeps him organized, optimistic, and on time.
Other Ways to Say: Spouse, Significant other
7. Cold feet
Meaning: Nervousness before a major commitment such as marriage.
In a Sentence: The night before the wedding, Jenna admitted she had cold feet, but a midnight chat with her fiancé reminded her why they were perfect for each other.
Other Ways to Say: Wedding jitters, Second thoughts
8. Blushing bride
Meaning: A shy or radiant bride on her wedding day.
In a Sentence: Even after months of planning, Mia turned into a blushing bride the instant she saw her groom waiting at the altar.
Other Ways to Say: Radiant bride, Shy bride
9. Groom‑to‑be
Meaning: A man who is engaged to be married.
In a Sentence: The groom‑to‑be practiced his vows every night, determined not to stumble over a single word when the big day arrived.
Other Ways to Say: Fiancé, Future husband
10. Get hitched
Meaning: To marry (informal).
In a Sentence: They decided to get hitched in a tiny mountain chapel, proving that love doesn’t need a grand ballroom to feel monumental.
Other Ways to Say: Tie the knot, Walk down the aisle
11. Wear the pants
Meaning: To be the decision‑maker in a marriage.
In a Sentence: People assume Olivia wears the pants in the relationship because she handles the finances, but at home every major choice is a true team effort.
Other Ways to Say: Call the shots, Be in charge
12. On the rocks
Meaning: Experiencing difficulties (in a marriage or relationship).
In a Sentence: After months of miscommunication, their marriage was on the rocks until counseling helped them rebuild trust.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, Hitting a rough patch
13. Kiss and make up
Meaning: To reconcile after an argument.
In a Sentence: They might bicker about chores, but they always kiss and make up before bedtime, refusing to let small quarrels linger.
Other Ways to Say: Patch things up, Make peace
14. Marry in haste, repent at leisure
Meaning: Rushing into marriage can lead to regret later.
In a Sentence: Her grandmother often warned, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure,” a saying Emma kept in mind while dating.
Other Ways to Say: Look before you leap, Don’t rush into marriage
15. Wedded bliss
Meaning: Great happiness in marriage.
In a Sentence: Two years into wedded bliss, they still left love notes on the fridge and danced in the kitchen every Sunday morning.
Other Ways to Say: Marital happiness, Happy union
16. Shotgun wedding
Meaning: A hastily arranged wedding due to an unexpected pregnancy or pressure.
In a Sentence: Rumors of a shotgun wedding flew, but the couple laughed them off, saying they simply couldn’t wait another minute to be husband and wife.
Other Ways to Say: Rushed wedding, Quick ceremony
17. Take the plunge
Meaning: To commit to marriage or another bold action.
In a Sentence: After years of globe‑trotting adventures, they took the plunge and exchanged vows on a cliff overlooking the sea.
Other Ways to Say: Dive in, Make the leap
18. Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue
Meaning: A traditional bridal rhyme listing good‑luck items.
In a Sentence: Claire’s “something blue” was a sapphire brooch pinned discreetly inside her gown, completing the rhyme her grandmother taught her.
Other Ways to Say: Bridal good‑luck tradition, Four‑item custom
19. A diamond is forever
Meaning: Diamonds symbolize eternal love and commitment.
In a Sentence: When he slipped the ring onto her finger, its sparkling promise reminded them both that a diamond is forever—and so was their bond.
Other Ways to Say: Eternal love, Everlasting commitment
20. Bridal shower
Meaning: A party to give gifts to a bride before her wedding.
In a Sentence: The bridal shower featured tea, tiny sandwiches, and stories that had the bride laughing until she cried.
Other Ways to Say: Pre‑wedding party, Bride’s gift celebration
21. Best man
Meaning: The groom’s chief attendant.
In a Sentence: As best man, Jordan held the rings, calmed the groom’s nerves, and delivered a toast that left everyone in stitches.
Other Ways to Say: Chief groomsman, Groom’s right‑hand man
22. Maid of honor
Meaning: The bride’s chief attendant.
In a Sentence: The maid of honor orchestrated every detail, from the bachelorette trip to ensuring the bride had tissues hidden in her bouquet.
Other Ways to Say: Chief bridesmaid, Bride’s right‑hand woman
23. Wedding jitters
Meaning: Nervousness before a wedding.
In a Sentence: Despite his wedding jitters, Noah stepped onto the dance floor with confidence once the band struck up their song.
Other Ways to Say: Cold feet, Pre‑wedding nerves
24. Seal the deal
Meaning: To finalize an agreement, such as marriage.
In a Sentence: They sealed the deal with heartfelt vows, promising to support each other through every chapter of life.
Other Ways to Say: Make it official, Close the agreement
25. Golden anniversary
Meaning: A 50th wedding anniversary.
In a Sentence: At their golden anniversary, the couple held hands as tightly as they had on their wedding day five decades earlier.
Other Ways to Say: 50‑year milestone, Half‑century celebration
26. Silver anniversary
Meaning: A 25th wedding anniversary.
In a Sentence: They took a second honeymoon in Paris to toast their silver anniversary, retracing the steps of their youthful adventure.
Other Ways to Say: 25‑year milestone, Quarter‑century celebration
27. Renew vows
Meaning: To repeat marriage promises after years together.
In a Sentence: On a windswept beach, they renewed their vows, their children cheering as witnesses to enduring love.
Other Ways to Say: Reaffirm vows, Recommit
28. Happily ever after
Meaning: An ideal, lasting happiness in marriage.
In a Sentence: The fairy‑tale cake topper read “Happily Ever After,” but the real magic was the daily kindness they showed each other.
Other Ways to Say: Forever happy, Storybook ending
29. Under the thumb
Meaning: Controlled by one’s spouse.
In a Sentence: Friends teased that Mark was under the thumb, yet he insisted compromise was the secret sauce of marriage.
Other Ways to Say: Dominated, Henpecked
30. Henpecked husband
Meaning: A husband overly controlled by his wife.
In a Sentence: The sitcom portrayed a henpecked husband for laughs, but real life is rarely so one‑sided.
Other Ways to Say: Browbeaten spouse, Submissive husband
31. Two become one
Meaning: Marriage unites two people into a partnership.
In a Sentence: The minister spoke of how two become one, yet keep their unique sparks shining brighter together.
Other Ways to Say: Unite as one, Join together
32. Lovebirds
Meaning: A very affectionate couple.
In a Sentence: The newlyweds, obvious lovebirds, couldn’t stop whispering sweet nothings during the reception.
Other Ways to Say: Adoring couple, Smitten pair
33. The big day
Meaning: One’s wedding day.
In a Sentence: Every detail—from the floral arch to the midnight fireworks—was planned to perfection for the big day.
Other Ways to Say: Wedding day, Special day
34. Tie that binds
Meaning: The bond that holds people together, especially in marriage.
In a Sentence: Respect, more than romance, was the tie that binds them through thick and thin.
Other Ways to Say: Strong bond, Unbreakable connection
35. Jump the broom
Meaning: A symbolic act of marriage in some cultures.
In a Sentence: They chose to jump the broom, honoring a tradition that linked their union to generations past.
Other Ways to Say: Broom‑jump ceremony, Cultural wedding ritual
36. Wedlock
Meaning: The state of being married.
In a Sentence: After a decade of wedlock, their playful banter still sounded like newlywed chatter.
Other Ways to Say: Matrimony, Marriage
37. Bridal party
Meaning: The group of attendants in a wedding.
In a Sentence: The bridal party rehearsed the processional until even the flower girl knew her steps by heart.
Other Ways to Say: Wedding attendants, Wedding party
38. Bless this union
Meaning: A phrase requesting good fortune for a marriage.
In a Sentence: The officiant raised her hands and said, “Bless this union,” as sunlight streamed through the stained‑glass windows.
Other Ways to Say: Bless the couple, Grant your blessing
39. For better or worse
Meaning: Commitment to stay together in all circumstances.
In a Sentence: Their vows promised loyalty for better or worse, and those words carried them through sickness and health.
Other Ways to Say: Through thick and thin, No matter what
40. Take her hand in marriage
Meaning: To marry a woman.
In a Sentence: He formally asked her father if he might take her hand in marriage, honoring a family tradition of respect.
Other Ways to Say: Wed her, Make her his wife
41. Exchange vows
Meaning: To speak marriage promises to each other.
In a Sentence: They exchanged vows beneath an ancient oak, each word etched into their memories forever.
Other Ways to Say: Say vows, Pledge promises
42. Till death do us part
Meaning: To remain married for life.
In a Sentence: Their engraved rings read “Till death do us part,” a reminder of their lifelong commitment.
Other Ways to Say: Lifelong bond, Forever united
43. Join in holy matrimony
Meaning: To unite in a sacred marriage.
In a Sentence: The couple was joined in holy matrimony in a centuries‑old chapel, its bells echoing across the valley.
Other Ways to Say: Unite in marriage, Sacred union
44. Speak now or forever hold your peace
Meaning: A call for objections before a wedding is finalized.
In a Sentence: When the officiant said, “Speak now or forever hold your peace,” silence filled the room, followed by relieved smiles.
Other Ways to Say: Voice objections now, Hold your peace
45. Throw rice
Meaning: To toss rice at newlyweds as a symbol of prosperity.
In a Sentence: Guests lined the path to throw rice, showering the couple with tiny white wishes for abundance and joy.
Other Ways to Say: Toss confetti, Shower with rice
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom:
- Just before the ceremony, Emma admitted she had _______ feet but smiled as soon as the music started.
- Liam decided to _______ the question during their vacation in Santorini.
- After a long talk, the couple agreed not to let their marriage stay _______ the rocks.
- Their fiftieth wedding celebration was a dazzling _______ anniversary party.
- Friends call them love_______ because they still hold hands everywhere they go.
- When the minister said, “Speak now or forever hold your _______,” no one uttered a word.
- Maya joked that she wears the _______ at home, but everyone knows decisions are shared.
- The groom’s nervous brother served as _______ man and nailed his speech.
- They chose to _______ their vows on the same beach where they first met.
- Every guest eagerly waited outside to _______ rice as the newlyweds exited.
- After years of dating, they finally decided to _______ the knot in a garden ceremony.
- The couple hopes to live _______ ever after, supporting each other’s dreams.
Answers:
cold, pop, on, golden, birds, peace, pants, best, renew, throw, tie, happily
Conclusion
Marriage idioms capture the romance, humor, and realities of lifelong partnership. By weaving expressions like “take the plunge” or “seal the deal” into your conversations and writing, you bring warmth and wit to the topic of matrimony. Keep practicing these phrases with your spouse, friends, or wedding clients, and soon they’ll roll off your tongue as naturally as saying “I do.” Here’s to love, laughter, and language that lasts “till death do us part”!
