Idioms are colorful expressions that paint vivid pictures of our feelings and experiences without always meaning exactly what the individual words say. When it comes to relationships—whether romantic, friendly, or family ties—idioms help us capture the highs and lows, the sweet moments, and the occasional bumps in the road in a way that feels lively and relatable. By learning these phrases, you’ll not only enrich your vocabulary but also gain new ways to describe the many shades of human connection.
Relationship‑focused idioms can offer insight, humor, and wisdom. They can encourage empathy, highlight commitment, or gently warn us about potential pitfalls. In this article, you’ll explore 50 popular idioms, discover their meanings, and see how they can be used in real‑life contexts. Afterward, try the exercise to practice what you’ve learned and watch your conversational skills blossom.
Idioms for Relationships
1. Tie the knot
Meaning: To get married.
In a Sentence: After seven adventurous years of dating and countless memories together, Maya and Devin finally decided to tie the knot in an intimate mountain ceremony that reflected their love of nature.
Other Ways to Say: Get married, Say “I do”
2. Hit it off
Meaning: To quickly form a good connection with someone.
In a Sentence: From the moment they started chatting about their shared love of jazz, Ava and Leo hit it off so well that the café staff thought they were lifelong friends catching up.
Other Ways to Say: Click instantly, Connect right away
3. Match made in heaven
Meaning: Two people who are perfectly suited for each other.
In a Sentence: Their complementary personalities and shared sense of humor make everyone agree that Serena and Omar are a match made in heaven.
Other Ways to Say: Perfect pair, Ideal couple
4. On the rocks
Meaning: Experiencing difficulties or close to breaking up.
In a Sentence: After months of unresolved arguments about finances, their once‑solid partnership was clearly on the rocks and in need of serious communication.
Other Ways to Say: In trouble, Falling apart
5. Love at first sight
Meaning: Falling in love immediately upon meeting.
In a Sentence: The moment Jasper saw Lily laughing across the bookstore aisle, he felt a spark of love at first sight that only grew stronger with every conversation.
Other Ways to Say: Instant attraction, Immediate chemistry
6. Pop the question
Meaning: To propose marriage.
In a Sentence: During a sunset hike overlooking the valley where they first met, Alex nervously popped the question, and Riley’s joyful “yes” echoed off the cliffs.
Other Ways to Say: Propose, Ask for someone’s hand
7. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree fully with someone.
In a Sentence: Even though they have different backgrounds, Sam and Priya see eye to eye on the big decisions, which keeps their partnership strong.
Other Ways to Say: Agree completely, Be on the same page
8. Head over heels
Meaning: Deeply in love.
In a Sentence: Jonah is so head over heels for Nina that he finds himself grinning whenever her name pops up on his phone screen.
Other Ways to Say: Madly in love, Completely smitten
9. Birds of a feather
Meaning: People who are very similar tend to spend time together.
In a Sentence: As avid hikers and amateur photographers, Mia and Zoe are birds of a feather who spend every weekend chasing waterfalls.
Other Ways to Say: Like‑minded pair, Kindred spirits
10. Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To intentionally ignore or show indifference.
In a Sentence: After their disagreement about the holiday plans, Parker gave Jordan the cold shoulder at dinner, making the atmosphere tense for everyone.
Other Ways to Say: Ignore, Snub
11. Kiss and make up
Meaning: To reconcile after a disagreement.
In a Sentence: They had a heated argument about chores, but they always kiss and make up before bedtime to avoid lingering resentment.
Other Ways to Say: Reconcile, Patch things up
12. Better half
Meaning: One’s spouse or significant other.
In a Sentence: At the company picnic, Luis proudly introduced Elena as his better half, crediting her support for his recent promotion.
Other Ways to Say: Significant other, Spouse
13. Opposites attract
Meaning: Very different people can be drawn to each other.
In a Sentence: Quiet, methodical Jamie and spontaneous, adventurous Quinn prove that opposites attract by balancing each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Other Ways to Say: Different yet compatible, Complementary duo
14. Go steady
Meaning: To date exclusively.
In a Sentence: After months of casual outings, they decided to go steady and deleted their dating‑app profiles together.
Other Ways to Say: Date exclusively, Be official
15. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: To openly show emotions.
In a Sentence: You can always tell how Sofia feels because she wears her heart on her sleeve, whether she’s ecstatic or worried.
Other Ways to Say: Be transparent, Show emotions openly
16. Throw someone under the bus
Meaning: To betray or sacrifice someone to save oneself.
In a Sentence: During the family debate, Caleb threw his sister under the bus by blaming her for the forgotten RSVP, damaging their trust.
Other Ways to Say: Betray, Shift blame
17. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To make peace after an argument.
In a Sentence: After years of silent tension, the cousins decided to bury the hatchet and rebuild their childhood bond.
Other Ways to Say: Reconcile, Make peace
18. Fall out
Meaning: To have a disagreement that damages a relationship.
In a Sentence: They fell out over differing political views and didn’t speak for months until a mutual friend intervened.
Other Ways to Say: Argue and split, Have a rift
19. Like an old married couple
Meaning: Two people who bicker yet remain close.
In a Sentence: Although they’re just roommates, Jordan and Kai tease each other like an old married couple but always have each other’s backs.
Other Ways to Say: Bickering pair, Quarrelsome friends
20. Go your separate ways
Meaning: To end a relationship or partnership.
In a Sentence: After realizing their life goals no longer aligned, they mutually agreed to go their separate ways and stay friends.
Other Ways to Say: Part ways, Split up
21. Put up with
Meaning: To tolerate someone’s behavior.
In a Sentence: Max loves his brother but sometimes wonders how much longer he can put up with the constant pranks.
Other Ways to Say: Tolerate, Endure
22. Joined at the hip
Meaning: Inseparable; always together.
In a Sentence: Since freshman orientation, Nora and Dana have been joined at the hip, attending every class and coffee run side by side.
Other Ways to Say: Inseparable, Always together
23. Have someone’s back
Meaning: To support and defend someone.
In a Sentence: Even in heated meetings, Chris knows Taylor always has his back and will speak up if things get unfair.
Other Ways to Say: Support, Stand up for
24. Stand someone up
Meaning: To fail to show up for a date or appointment.
In a Sentence: Waiting alone at the restaurant for over an hour, Lena realized she had been stood up and decided she deserved better.
Other Ways to Say: Skip a date, Fail to show
25. Lead someone on
Meaning: To give false hope about a relationship.
In a Sentence: By flirting constantly yet refusing commitment, he was leading her on and hurting her feelings.
Other Ways to Say: Mislead emotionally, String along
26. Have chemistry
Meaning: To share a strong mutual attraction.
In a Sentence: Their lively banter and lingering glances showed they had undeniable chemistry that everyone around them could sense.
Other Ways to Say: Spark connection, Feel mutual attraction
27. Play hard to get
Meaning: To act aloof to increase interest.
In a Sentence: She played hard to get at first, but once he showed genuine sincerity, she opened up to the possibility of dating.
Other Ways to Say: Be coy, Act distant
28. Break someone’s heart
Meaning: To cause deep emotional pain.
In a Sentence: When he abruptly ended their long‑term relationship, he broke her heart and left her questioning everything.
Other Ways to Say: Devastate emotionally, Shatter feelings
29. Patch things up
Meaning: To fix a damaged relationship.
In a Sentence: After a difficult year, they went to counseling to patch things up and rediscover why they fell in love.
Other Ways to Say: Mend fences, Repair the bond
30. Walk down the aisle
Meaning: To get married.
In a Sentence: In front of cheering friends and family, they walked down the aisle with tears of joy in their eyes.
Other Ways to Say: Marry, Exchange vows
31. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who listens sympathetically.
In a Sentence: Whenever life gets overwhelming, Cara knows Miguel will offer a shoulder to cry on and comforting advice.
Other Ways to Say: Supportive listener, Consoling friend
32. Break up
Meaning: To end a romantic relationship.
In a Sentence: They decided to break up respectfully, acknowledging that their future plans no longer aligned.
Other Ways to Say: Split, Part ways
33. Get on like a house on fire
Meaning: To become very friendly very quickly.
In a Sentence: The moment they discovered a mutual obsession with vintage vinyl, they got on like a house on fire and talked all night.
Other Ways to Say: Bond instantly, Hit it off fast
34. Take someone for granted
Meaning: To fail to appreciate someone’s value.
In a Sentence: After realizing how much his partner handled at home, he vowed never again to take her for granted.
Other Ways to Say: Overlook worth, Fail to appreciate
35. Put a ring on it
Meaning: To get engaged or married.
In a Sentence: After years of dating, their friends kept joking that it was time for him to put a ring on it before someone else did.
Other Ways to Say: Propose, Make it official
36. Make a move
Meaning: To take action to start or advance a relationship.
In a Sentence: After weeks of friendly lunches, she decided to make a move by inviting him to a concert.
Other Ways to Say: Take initiative, Ask out
37. Under someone’s thumb
Meaning: Controlled or dominated by someone.
In a Sentence: Friends worried she was under his thumb when she stopped making decisions without his approval.
Other Ways to Say: Controlled, Dominated
38. Hit the rocks
Meaning: To experience serious relationship trouble.
In a Sentence: Their relationship hit the rocks when trust issues surfaced, forcing them to confront past mistakes.
Other Ways to Say: Falter, Face crisis
39. Out of one’s league
Meaning: Too good or attractive for someone.
In a Sentence: He thought the accomplished architect was out of his league until she asked him out for coffee.
Other Ways to Say: Beyond reach, Too good for
40. Lovebirds
Meaning: A couple who are visibly affectionate.
In a Sentence: The two lovebirds sat in the park, sharing earbuds and laughing at inside jokes only they understood.
Other Ways to Say: Affectionate couple, Sweethearts
41. Be all over someone
Meaning: To show excessive attention or affection.
In a Sentence: At the reunion, he was all over his new girlfriend, making some classmates roll their eyes.
Other Ways to Say: Fawn over, Dote on
42. Call it quits
Meaning: To end a relationship or activity.
In a Sentence: After one last heartfelt conversation, they decided to call it quits and focus on their individual growth.
Other Ways to Say: End it, Finish
43. Love‑hate relationship
Meaning: A relationship characterized by alternating love and conflict.
In a Sentence: Their love‑hate relationship kept friends guessing whether they would argue or hug at any given moment.
Other Ways to Say: Turbulent bond, Volatile relationship
44. No strings attached
Meaning: Without commitments or obligations.
In a Sentence: They agreed to a casual coffee date with no strings attached, just to see where things might go.
Other Ways to Say: Casual, Commitment‑free
45. Break the ice
Meaning: To initiate conversation and reduce tension.
In a Sentence: He cracked a witty joke about the awkward elevator music to break the ice on their blind date.
Other Ways to Say: Start talking, Ease tension
46. Cross paths
Meaning: To meet by chance.
In a Sentence: They first crossed paths in a crowded airport lounge and ended up chatting for hours during a delayed flight.
Other Ways to Say: Meet unexpectedly, Bump into
47. Have a crush
Meaning: To have romantic feelings for someone.
In a Sentence: Maya’s cheeks turned pink whenever her long‑time crush walked into the classroom.
Other Ways to Say: Fancy someone, Be infatuated
48. Make up
Meaning: To reconcile after a disagreement.
In a Sentence: After a tense weekend, they made up over brunch and promised clearer communication in the future.
Other Ways to Say: Reconcile, Settle differences
49. Put your heart on the line
Meaning: To risk emotional hurt by expressing feelings.
In a Sentence: He put his heart on the line when he confessed his feelings, unsure if she felt the same.
Other Ways to Say: Take an emotional risk, Open up
50. Two‑way street
Meaning: A relationship requiring equal effort from both sides.
In a Sentence: She reminded him that trust is a two‑way street, built by both partners showing honesty and respect.
Other Ways to Say: Mutual effort, Reciprocal relationship
Exercise to Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms above:
- After years of dating, their friends urged him to ________ a ring on it.
- They got on like a ________ on fire from the moment they started talking about graphic novels.
- She didn’t want to ________ someone under the bus, so she took responsibility for the mistake herself.
- When they realized their dreams no longer aligned, they decided to ________ their separate ways.
- He finally worked up the courage to ________ the question during their anniversary trip.
- Their relationship hit the ________ when long‑distance challenges arose.
- Maya agreed to casual dates with ________ strings attached while focusing on her career.
- Whenever problems arise, they always kiss and ________ up before the day ends.
- He was worried the famous singer was out of his ________, but she found his humility charming.
- After the argument, they met for coffee to ________ the hatchet and start fresh.
- Seeing her text made him realize he was completely head over ________ for her.
- Their supportive friendship proves they always have each other’s ________.
Answers:
put, house, throw, go, pop, rocks, no, make, league, bury, heels, back
Conclusion
Idioms bring warmth, humor, and depth to our conversations about love, friendship, and family. By weaving these relationship‑focused expressions into your daily speech, you can communicate feelings more vividly, empathize with others, and navigate the complex world of human connections with flair. Keep practicing, try out the exercise, and soon these phrases will become second nature—helping you express the many facets of relationships with confidence and creativity.
