English Idioms

Relationships

Mastering idioms makes English learners sound more fluent and natural in conversations. Understanding relationship idioms will help you navigate social interactions and express yourself more effectively. Our curated list of idioms about relationships comes with precise meanings, real-life examples, and audio pronunciations to enhance your learning experience. Delve into the origins of these idioms to deepen your comprehension and cultural awareness. Practice using these idioms in your conversations to build confidence and improve your speaking skills. Start today and see a significant improvement in how you communicate in English.

Idiom	Meaning and Examples
Be an item	Meaning: When two people are in a romantic relationship, they are often referred to as 'an item.' This phrase suggests that the couple is well-known and recognized as being together. Examples: Rumor has it that Jack and Jill are an item now. By the end of the summer, everyone knew they were an item. When colleagues discovered that Sarah and Tom were an item, it became the talk of the office. Meaning and Examples of the "Be an item" idiom
Break up	Meaning: To end a romantic relationship. It signifies the conclusion of a partnership or connection between two people who were previously in a romantic relationship. Examples: Sarah and John decided to break up after realizing they had different life goals. After years of trying to make it work, they finally broke up last summer. She felt a mix of relief and sadness when they broke up. Meaning and Examples of the "Break up" idiom
Bury the hatchet	Meaning: To reconcile or make peace with someone after a conflict or disagreement, letting go of past grievances and moving forward. Examples: After years of rivalry, the two companies decided to bury the hatchet and collaborate on a new project. Following their heated debate, the siblings chose to bury the hatchet and focus on their family's well-being. Despite their differences, the politicians agreed to bury the hatchet for the sake of passing the new legislation. Meaning and Examples of the "Bury the hatchet" idiom
Get along like a house on fire	Meaning: When two people become good friends quickly and easily, enjoying each other's company immensely. Their interaction is filled with enthusiasm and a strong sense of camaraderie. Examples: Despite their different backgrounds, Jenna and Mark got along like a house on fire from the moment they met. When Sarah introduced her childhood friend to her college roommate, they got along like a house on fire, chatting for hours. The new colleagues got along like a house on fire, quickly becoming the best of friends and working seamlessly together. Meaning and Examples of the "Get along like a house on fire" idiom
Have a heart-to-heart	Meaning: Engaging in an open and sincere conversation, usually about personal matters or emotions. It involves sharing feelings honestly with someone you trust, aiming for mutual understanding and emotional connection. Examples: After weeks of tension, Susan and her friend finally had a heart-to-heart to resolve their differences. John decided it was time to have a heart-to-heart with his father about his future career plans. Following the misunderstanding, the team had a heart-to-heart to clear the air and rebuild trust. Meaning and Examples of the "Have a heart-to-heart" idiom
Hit it off	Meaning: To quickly form a good relationship with someone, often based on mutual interests or an immediate connection. This can occur in both personal and professional settings. Examples: From the very first meeting, the new colleagues hit it off and began collaborating on multiple projects. Despite their differing backgrounds, the two artists hit it off and produced a stunning exhibition together. The children hit it off instantly, spending the entire afternoon playing and laughing. Meaning and Examples of the "Hit it off" idiom
Kiss and make up	Meaning: When two people or parties resolve their differences and become friendly again after a disagreement or conflict. It suggests a sincere effort to mend relationships and move forward positively. Examples: After their heated argument, Sarah and Emily decided to kiss and make up over a cup of coffee. The two rival companies chose to kiss and make up, merging their resources for a more prosperous future. Despite their differences, the political leaders eventually kissed and made up for the greater good of the country. Meaning and Examples of the "Kiss and make up" idiom
Love at first sight	Meaning: This phrase describes the intense and immediate romantic attraction one feels upon first meeting someone. It's as if a deep connection is formed instantly, without needing to know the person beforehand. Examples: When John met Emily at the conference, he knew it was love at first sight despite their brief interaction. In the crowded marketplace, their eyes met, and they both experienced love at first sight, oblivious to the chaos around them. Although skeptical about instant connections, Maria couldn't deny the feeling of love at first sight when she met Alex. Meaning and Examples of the "Love at first sight" idiom
On the same wavelength	Meaning: When two or more people understand each other well, they share similar thoughts, feelings, or ideas. This often leads to a smooth and harmonious interaction, as they are in sync with each other. Examples: Despite their different backgrounds, Jane and Tom seemed to be on the same wavelength during their collaboration. During the meeting, it was clear that the marketing team and the design team were not on the same wavelength, leading to some confusion. When discussing the project, it became evident that Maria and her supervisor were on the same wavelength, making the decision-making process much smoother. Meaning and Examples of the "On the same wavelength" idiom
Play hard to get	Meaning: To give the impression that you are not easily available or interested in something or someone. This behavior is often used to create a sense of intrigue or to make oneself seem more desirable. Examples: Despite her clear interest, she decided to play hard to get, leaving him wondering about her true feelings. The company played hard to get during negotiations, knowing their product was in high demand. By playing hard to get, the actor increased his allure and secured more lucrative roles. Meaning and Examples of the "Play hard to get" idiom
Put your foot in your mouth	Meaning: To say something that you quickly regret because it is inappropriate, embarrassing, or offensive. It often involves speaking without thinking and then realizing the mistake immediately after. Examples: During the meeting, John put his foot in his mouth when he accidentally revealed the surprise party plans. Sally put her foot in her mouth by asking her colleague about their recent breakup without knowing the details. He put his foot in his mouth by making a joke about layoffs, not realizing his boss's spouse had just been laid off. Meaning and Examples of the "Put your foot in your mouth" idiom
See eye to eye	Meaning: To be in complete agreement or have a shared perspective on a particular subject. It often implies a mutual understanding or harmony between two or more individuals. Examples: Despite their different backgrounds, the two scientists saw eye to eye on the project's direction. The board members didn't see eye to eye on the company's future, leading to heated discussions. After a long debate, they finally saw eye to eye and reached a consensus. Meaning and Examples of the "See eye to eye" idiom
Spill the beans	Meaning: To reveal secret information or to disclose something that was meant to be kept confidential. This phrase often implies that the disclosure was accidental or unplanned. Examples: Despite her best efforts to keep the surprise party a secret, Sarah accidentally spilled the beans to Jason. During the heated argument, John couldn't help but spill the beans about the company's financial troubles. The journalist managed to get the celebrity to spill the beans about their upcoming project. Meaning and Examples of the "Spill the beans" idiom
Tie the knot	Meaning: This phrase refers to getting married. It evokes the image of two individuals coming together and binding their lives in marriage. Examples: After dating for seven years, they finally decided to tie the knot in a beautiful beach ceremony. Many couples choose to tie the knot in spring, when the flowers are in full bloom. Despite the stormy weather, they tied the knot under a canopy of umbrellas. Meaning and Examples of the "Tie the knot" idiom