Love and Relationship Idioms
Idioms about love, friendship, trust, conflict, family, romance, and relationships.
Browse love and relationship idioms
Break the ice
To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.
Cut to the chase
Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.
Throw in the towel
To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.
Spill the beans
Reveal a secret or disclose information prematurely.
Fight tooth and nail
Struggle vigorously and aggressively to achieve something.
A shot in the arm
Something that boosts morale or energy.
Apple of my eye
Someone cherished above others.
Back to the drawing board
Return to planning stage after a failure.
Belt and braces
Excessively cautious, applying redundant safeguards.
Duck and cover
React quickly to avoid danger.
Get two birds with one stone
Achieve two things with one effort.
Give someone the cold shoulder
Ignore or snub someone intentionally.
Keep your eye on the ball
Stay focused on the goal.
Backseat driver
Someone who offers unwanted advice during another's efforts.
Bend over backwards
Make a great effort to please someone.
Black sheep
Someone who is seen as different or disapproved of within a group.
Burn bridges
Destroy relationships beyond repair.
Get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid just before doing something important.
Not pull punches
Speak bluntly without softening.
Silver lining
A positive aspect of a negative situation.
Have the last laugh
Be vindicated after others have doubted you.
Put your money where your mouth is
Support words with action or investment.
Roll with the punches
Adapt to difficulties gracefully.
Shoot for the stars
Aim for ambitious goals.
Take one for the team
Make a sacrifice for the group's benefit.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Display emotions openly.
Another string to your bow
An additional skill or resource.
Birds of a feather
People with similar interests tend to gather.
Fair-weather friend
Someone supportive only in good times.
Follow your nose
Trust your instincts.
Make a mountain out of a molehill
Exaggerate minor issues.
Bring home the bacon
Earn a living or deliver the results your family or team depends on.
Call a spade a spade
Speak honestly about something, even if it is blunt.
Chip on your shoulder
Carrying a grudge or feeling defensive about a perceived slight.
Clean slate
Start over without being judged for past mistakes.
Fight fire with fire
Respond to an attack with similar tactics.
Get back in the saddle
Return to an activity after a setback.
Kill two birds with one stone
Accomplish two objectives with a single action.
Let your guard down
Relax and stop being defensive.
See eye to eye
Agree on something.
Back to square one
Return to the beginning after a failed effort.
Be careful what you wish for
Desires may produce unwanted consequences.
Clean break
Cut ties quickly and decisively.
Count your blessings
Be grateful for what you have.
Drown your sorrows
Drink alcohol to forget problems.
Get off on the right foot
Start something well.
Give and take
Mutual compromise or exchange.
Go behind someone’s back
Act secretly, especially against someone's trust.
Have your back
Protect or support someone.
Head over heels
Deeply in love or wildly excited.
Backseat driver
Someone who gives unwanted advice about how you should do something you're doing.
Better the devil you know
Prefer a familiar problem to an unknown one.
Bite your tongue
AVoid saying something unwise or hurtful.
Get cold feet
Become nervous about a commitment.
Penny for your thoughts
A lighthearted invitation to share what someone is thinking.
Throw your weight around
Use authority aggressively or boastfully.
A cold day in hell
Something extremely unlikely to happen.
Give you the cold shoulder
Ignore someone deliberately to show disapproval.
Shake it off
Recover quickly from setbacks or criticism.
Water off a duck's back
Let criticism or trouble slide without effect.
Back on your feet
Recover from hardship.
Glass half full
Having an optimistic outlook.
Apple don't fall far from the tree
Children often resemble their parents.
Blood is thicker than water
Family ties are stronger than other relationships.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Find the positive in a bad situation.
Pick up the pieces
Recover after a setback.
Up to scratch
Meeting acceptable standards.
Walk on eggshells
Act very cautiously to avoid upsetting someone.
Wet your whistle
Have a quick drink.
Two peas in a pod
Two people who are very similar.
Bark is worse than its bite
A threat seems scary, but the person is harmless.
Go back to square one
Restart from the beginning after a setback.