Relationship idioms

**31. Love conquers all**

– **Meaning:** Love has the power to overcome any obstacle or challenge.
– **Example:** “Their love for each other was so strong that it felt like love conquers all.”

**32. Break someone’s heart**
– **Meaning:** To cause someone emotional pain by ending a romantic relationship or betraying their trust.
– **Example:** “Breaking up with him was hard, but I didn’t want to break his heart.”

**33. It takes two to tango**
– **Meaning:** Both parties in a relationship are responsible for any issues or conflicts.
– **Example:** “They argued all the time, but it takes two to tango, and both were at fault.”

**34. The ball is in your court**
– **Meaning:** It’s someone’s turn or responsibility to take action or make a decision in a situation.
– **Example:** “I’ve apologized, and now the ball is in your court to forgive me.”

**35. Love triangle**
– **Meaning:** A situation in which three people are romantically involved with each other in various ways.
– **Example:** “The love triangle between the three main characters added drama to the story.”

**36. Turn a blind eye**
– **Meaning:** To ignore or pretend not to notice something, often referring to a partner’s faults or indiscretions.
– **Example:** “She chose to turn a blind eye to her husband’s late-night phone calls.”

**37. Burn one’s bridges**
– **Meaning:** To take actions that make it impossible to return to a previous state or relationship.
– **Example:** “By quitting his job in anger, he burned his bridges with the company.”

**38. A leopard can’t change its spots**
– **Meaning:** People’s character, especially in terms of their faults or flaws, tends to remain consistent.
– **Example:** “She thought he would change, but a leopard can’t change its spots; he’s still the same.”

**39. Climb the social ladder**
– **Meaning:** To improve one’s social or economic status or position in society.
– **Example:** “She married into a wealthy family and climbed the social ladder.”

**40. Skeletons in the closet**
– **Meaning:** Hidden or embarrassing secrets from one’s past.
– **Example:** “Before getting married, they decided to share all their skeletons in the closet with each other.”

**41. Love is in the air**
– **Meaning:** A sense that love or romance is prevalent or apparent in a situation or atmosphere.
– **Example:** “At the wedding, love was in the air, and everyone was happy.”

**42. From the bottom of one’s heart**
– **Meaning:** Sincere and heartfelt feelings or actions.
– **Example:** “He thanked her from the bottom of his heart for her support.”

**43. A shoulder to cry on**
– **Meaning:** Someone who provides emotional support during difficult times.
– **Example:** “She’s always there as a shoulder to cry on when I’m going through tough times.”

**44. To go the extra mile**
– **Meaning:** To make additional effort beyond what is expected.
– **Example:** “He went the extra mile to plan a surprise date for their anniversary.”

**45. Love knows no bounds**
– **Meaning:** Love is not limited by boundaries or constraints.
– **Example:** “Their love was so strong, it proved that love knows no bounds.”

**46. Keep the flame alive**
– **Meaning:** To maintain the passion and excitement in a romantic relationship.
– **Example:** “After many years of marriage, they work hard to keep the flame alive.”

**47. A fair-weather friend**
– **Meaning:** A friend who is only supportive or present when things are going well.
– **Example:** “He realized that his so-called friend was just a fair-weather friend when he faced difficulties.”

**48. Have a heart of gold**
– **Meaning:** To be kind, generous, and compassionate.
– **Example:** “She has a heart of gold, always helping those in need.”

**49. The apple of one’s eye**
– **Meaning:** Someone who is cherished and loved above all others.
– **Example:** “Their daughter is the apple of their eye, and they would do anything for her.”

**50. A house divided against itself cannot stand**
– **Meaning:** A group or family that is divided by internal conflicts or disputes is weaker and more likely to fail.
– **Example:** “They need to resolve their differences; a house divided against itself cannot stand.”

These relationship idioms encompass a wide range of emotions, experiences, and situations people encounter in their interactions with others, whether it’s love, friendship, or family relationships.

**51. To have a heart of stone**

– **Meaning:** To be emotionally cold and unfeeling.
– **Example:** “He didn’t even show any sympathy when she was crying; he has a heart of stone.”

**52. To make amends**
– **Meaning:** To reconcile or repair a damaged relationship by taking action to correct past wrongs.
– **Example:** “After their argument, he made amends by apologizing and trying to make things right.”

**53. To have one’s heart in the right place**
– **Meaning:** To have good intentions even if the results or actions are not perfect.
– **Example:** “She may make mistakes, but she has her heart in the right place, always trying to help others.”

**54. To be on the same wavelength**
– **Meaning:** To have a similar way of thinking or understanding, often used to describe people who have a strong connection.
– **Example:** “They’re always on the same wavelength, which is why they get along so well.”

**55. To have a soft heart**
– **Meaning:** To be easily moved by emotions or sympathetic to others.
– **Example:** “She has a soft heart, and it’s hard for her to see anyone in pain.”

**56. To mend a broken heart**
– **Meaning:** To recover emotionally after a romantic breakup or a loss.
– **Example:** “It took time, but she managed to mend her broken heart and move on.”

**57. To bury the hatchet**
– **Meaning:** To make peace with someone and put an end to past conflicts.
– **Example:** “After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet and become friends.”

**58. To be in someone’s good books**
– **Meaning:** To be in someone’s favor or have a positive standing with them.
– **Example:** “She’s always on time and does her best at work, so she’s definitely in the boss’s good books.”

**59. To throw in the towel**
– **Meaning:** To give up on a relationship, task, or endeavor.
– **Example:** “After years of trying to make it work, they finally threw in the towel and decided to separate.”

**60. To wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve**
– **Meaning:** To openly and freely express one’s emotions.
– **Example:** “He wears his heart on his sleeve and is never afraid to show his feelings.”

These idioms offer insights into the various aspects of relationships, from emotions and intentions to challenges and resolutions.

**61. To have a hidden agenda**

– **Meaning:** To have a secret or ulterior motive in a relationship or interaction.
– **Example:** “He seemed helpful, but I later discovered he had a hidden agenda.”

**62. To throw someone under the bus**
– **Meaning:** To betray or sacrifice someone else to protect oneself or achieve personal gain.
– **Example:** “He was willing to throw his colleague under the bus to avoid getting in trouble.”

**63. To see eye to eye**
– **Meaning:** To have the same opinions, perspectives, or agreements in a relationship.
– **Example:** “They always see eye to eye on important decisions, which makes their partnership strong.”

**64. To kiss and make up**
– **Meaning:** To reconcile and resolve conflicts in a relationship, typically after an argument or disagreement.
– **Example:** “After their fight, they decided to kiss and make up, realizing their love was more important.”

**65. To be in a love triangle**
– **Meaning:** To be involved in a complex romantic situation with three people.
– **Example:** “She found herself in a love triangle when two of her friends expressed romantic interest in her.”

**66. To go the extra mile**
– **Meaning:** To make additional efforts beyond what is expected in a relationship or task.
– **Example:** “He always goes the extra mile to make her feel special.”

**67. To mend fences**
– **Meaning:** To repair or improve a damaged relationship.
– **Example:** “After their argument, they decided to mend fences and rebuild their friendship.”

**68. To play hard to get**
– **Meaning:** To act uninterested or distant to increase someone’s interest in a romantic relationship.
– **Example:** “She played hard to get to see if he was genuinely interested in her.”

**69. To stand by someone**
– **Meaning:** To support and be loyal to someone, especially in challenging situations.
– **Example:** “She’ll always stand by her friend, no matter what.”

**70. To take the plunge**
– **Meaning:** To make a significant commitment or decision, often in the context of marriage or a serious relationship.
– **Example:** “After dating for years, they decided to take the plunge and get married.”

These idioms reflect the complexities and nuances of human relationships, covering aspects of trust, commitment, reconciliation, and decision-making.

**71. To cry on someone’s shoulder**

– **Meaning:** To seek comfort or emotional support from someone during a difficult time.
– **Example:** “When I lost my job, she was the one I could cry on her shoulder for support.”

**72. To stick to one’s guns**
– **Meaning:** To remain firm and unwavering in one’s beliefs or decisions, even in a relationship.
– **Example:** “Even though they disagreed, he stuck to his guns about the importance of honesty in their relationship.”

**73. To have one’s cake and eat it too**
– **Meaning:** To want or try to have the benefits of two conflicting options, often used to describe someone being greedy or indecisive in a relationship.
– **Example:** “He wanted to date both of them, but you can’t have your cake and eat it too; he had to make a choice.”

**74. To turn over a new leaf**
– **Meaning:** To make a positive change in one’s behavior or attitude, often used in the context of improving a relationship.
– **Example:** “After their argument, he decided to turn over a new leaf and be a more attentive partner.”

**75. To put all one’s eggs in one basket**
– **Meaning:** To invest all one’s resources or hopes in a single option or relationship, risking everything.
– **Example:** “She didn’t want to put all her eggs in one basket by relying solely on her romantic relationship for happiness.”

**76. To read between the lines**
– **Meaning:** To understand the hidden or unspoken meanings in what someone is saying, especially in communication within relationships.
– **Example:** “She had to learn to read between the lines of his messages to understand his true feelings.”

**77. To be the apple of discord**
– **Meaning:** To be the cause of conflict or disagreements, often within a group or relationship.
– **Example:** “Their differing opinions about how to raise their child became the apple of discord in their marriage.”

**78. To have butterflies in one’s stomach**
– **Meaning:** To feel nervous or excited, typically in the context of meeting someone you’re attracted to.
– **Example:** “Before their first date, she had butterflies in her stomach.”

**79. To bite the hand that feeds you**
– **Meaning:** To harm or betray the person or entity providing for you or helping you.
– **Example:** “He shouldn’t criticize his boss so harshly; it’s like biting the hand that feeds him.”

**80. To make a mountain out of a molehill**
– **Meaning:** To exaggerate or make a small issue seem much more significant or problematic than it is.
– **Example:** “Their argument over the dishes turned into making a mountain out of a molehill.”

These idioms cover a range of experiences and behaviors in relationships, from seeking support and change to managing conflicts and making decisions.

**81. To be a shoulder to cry on**

– **Meaning:** To be there for someone in times of emotional distress or sorrow.
– **Example:** “She was always a shoulder to cry on when her friends needed support.”

**82. To let the cat out of the bag**
– **Meaning:** To reveal a secret unintentionally or prematurely, often causing problems in a relationship.
– **Example:** “He accidentally let the cat out of the bag by telling her about the surprise party.”

**83. To fall head over heels**
– **Meaning:** To fall deeply in love with someone.
– **Example:** “From the moment they met, he fell head over heels in love with her.”

**84. To go hand in hand**
– **Meaning:** To be closely associated or linked, often used to describe complementary aspects in a relationship.
– **Example:** “Trust and communication go hand in hand in a healthy relationship.”

**85. To mend a rift**
– **Meaning:** To repair a division or gap in a relationship or between people.
– **Example:** “They worked together to mend the rift that had developed in their friendship.”

**86. To put one’s foot in one’s mouth**
– **Meaning:** To say something inappropriate or offensive unintentionally, often causing problems in a relationship.
– **Example:** “He really put his foot in his mouth when he commented on her weight.”

**87. To take the wind out of someone’s sails**
– **Meaning:** To deflate someone’s enthusiasm or confidence, often in a relationship.
– **Example:** “Her criticism took the wind out of his sails, making him doubt his abilities.”

**88. To pull someone’s leg**
– **Meaning:** To tease or play a harmless prank on someone.
– **Example:** “He was just pulling her leg when he said they had won the lottery.”

**89. To bury one’s head in the sand**
– **Meaning:** To ignore or avoid dealing with a problem or situation, often causing issues in a relationship.
– **Example:** “She couldn’t bury her head in the sand any longer; they needed to address their relationship problems.”

**90. To throw caution to the wind**
– **Meaning:** To take a risk or act impulsively, often in the context of a relationship.
– **Example:** “They decided to throw caution to the wind and embark on a spontaneous road trip.”

**91. To be a snake in the grass**
– **Meaning:** To be deceitful or disloyal, often betraying someone’s trust.
– **Example:** “She turned out to be a snake in the grass, spreading rumors about her friends.”

**92. To keep a stiff upper lip**
– **Meaning:** To remain strong and composed, especially during difficult or emotional times.
– **Example:** “Even when facing adversity, he tried to keep a stiff upper lip to support his family.”

**93. To see someone through rose-colored glasses**
– **Meaning:** To see someone or a situation in an overly positive or idealized way, often in the early stages of a relationship.
– **Example:** “She saw him through rose-colored glasses and believed he could do no wrong.”

**94. To have one’s heart in the right place**
– **Meaning:** To have good intentions, even if the results are not perfect, particularly in a relationship.
– **Example:** “She may make mistakes, but her heart is in the right place; she genuinely cares.”

**95. To have a heart-to-heart talk**
– **Meaning:** To have a deep and honest conversation about feelings or important matters in a relationship.
– **Example:** “They had a heart-to-heart talk to resolve their differences and strengthen their bond.”

**96. To fall out of love**
– **Meaning:** To lose romantic feelings or emotional connection with someone.
– **Example:** “They used to be so in love, but over time, they fell out of love.”

**97. To build bridges**
– **Meaning:** To work on repairing or improving a relationship, often after conflicts or misunderstandings.
– **Example:** “They decided to build bridges after their disagreement and work on their friendship.”

**98. To have a soft touch**
– **Meaning:** To be gentle and compassionate, especially in dealing with others’ emotions.
– **Example:** “She has a soft touch when comforting her friends in times of need.”

**99. To play it by ear**
– **Meaning:** To approach a situation without a specific plan, often in a relationship.
– **Example:** “They decided to play it by ear and see where their spontaneous road trip would take them.”

**100. To break the ice**
– **Meaning:** To initiate a conversation or interaction to ease tension or awkwardness, often in social or romantic settings.
– **Example:** “He told a joke to break the ice and start a friendly conversation.”

These idioms reflect the multifaceted nature of human relationships, encompassing communication, emotions, challenges, and resolutions.