70 Best Relationship Idioms to Boost ESL Conversations Fast

If you teach ESL students, you know how important it is to help them talk about relationships. Using relationship idioms can make their conversations more natural and fun. This post is the best resource for learning 70 common relationship idioms.

These idioms are useful because they help students understand and use everyday expressions they will hear in real life. Knowing relationship idioms improves vocabulary and makes speaking more interesting.

Teachers can use these idioms to create many activities. For example, conversations and role-plays where students practice talking about love, friendship, and dating. You can also prepare questions for discussion or debates about relationship topics.

With this list, your students will learn common expressions that make their English sound like a native speaker. It is a simple and effective way to build confidence in talking about relationships. Keep this post handy to create fun, engaging lessons your students will enjoy!

Why Relationship Idioms Are Important in ESL Learning

Learning relationship idioms is very important for ESL students. These idioms are used a lot in everyday English, especially when people talk about love, friends, or family. If students know these idioms, they can understand conversations better.

Using relationship idioms also helps students speak more naturally. Instead of using simple words, they can use expressions that native speakers use. This makes their English sound more interesting and real.

Teachers can help students learn these idioms step by step. When students practice, they get better at using the idioms correctly. This helps them feel more confident when talking about relationships in English.

In short, relationship idioms are useful for improving listening, speaking, and understanding real-life English. That is why this topic is very important in ESL learning.

1. A match made in heaven

Meaning: Two people are perfect for each other.

Example Sentences:

1. Emma and Liam are a match made in heaven.
2. Everyone thinks their teamwork is a match made in heaven.
3. The new business partners seem like a match made in heaven.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know a couple who are a match made in heaven?
2. What makes two friends a match made in heaven?
3. Have you felt that a job and a person were a match made in heaven?

2. At odds with someone

Meaning: To be arguing or not agreeing with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. I am at odds with my brother about money.
2. The two teams are at odds over the rules.
3. She was at odds with her friend after the trip.

Context Questions:

1. When were you last at odds with someone close to you?
2. How do you feel when you are at odds with a classmate?
3. What helps you stop being at odds with others?

3. Be an item

Meaning: Two people are in a romantic relationship.

Example Sentences:

1. Tom and Sara are an item now.
2. People guessed they were an item after the party.
3. The classmates were surprised to learn we are an item.

Context Questions:

1. How do friends react when two classmates become an item?
2. Have you ever thought two celebrities were an item?
3. What signs show two people might be an item?

4. Be head over heels

Meaning: To be deeply and happily in love.

Example Sentences:

1. He is head over heels for her.
2. Julia felt head over heels after the first date.
3. They are still head over heels after ten years.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been head over heels for someone?
2. How can you tell if a friend is head over heels?
3. What movies show characters who are head over heels?

5. Be on the same wavelength

Meaning: To think and feel in a very similar way.

Example Sentences:

1. My coworker and I are on the same wavelength.
2. Good friends are often on the same wavelength.
3. The couple planned the trip easily because they were on the same wavelength.

Context Questions:

1. Who in your life is on the same wavelength as you?
2. Why is it helpful to be on the same wavelength at work?
3. How can teachers get on the same wavelength with students?

6. Bend over backwards (for someone)

Meaning: To try very hard to help someone.

Example Sentences:

1. She bent over backwards to make him happy.
2. The manager will bend over backwards for good customers.
3. Parents often bend over backwards for their kids.

Context Questions:

1. When did someone bend over backwards for you?
2. Would you bend over backwards for a close friend?
3. How do you feel when others bend over backwards for you?

7. Break someone’s heart

Meaning: To make someone very sad by ending love or trust.

Example Sentences:

1. The breakup broke his heart.
2. Lying to her best friend broke her heart.
3. The news about the move will break their hearts.

Context Questions:

1. What actions can break a person’s heart?
2. How do people heal after someone breaks their heart?
3. Have you seen a story where a pet’s loss breaks someone’s heart?

8. Break the ice

Meaning: To start talking and make people feel comfortable.

Example Sentences:

1. A joke helped break the ice in class.
2. Games can break the ice at parties.
3. He asked a simple question to break the ice.

Context Questions:

1. What is your favorite way to break the ice?
2. Why is breaking the ice important in new groups?
3. How can teachers break the ice on the first day?

9. Bury the hatchet

Meaning: To end a fight and become friendly again.

Example Sentences:

1. After years, the brothers buried the hatchet.
2. The teams buried the hatchet and played fair.
3. Let’s bury the hatchet and move on.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last bury the hatchet with someone?
2. What helps people decide to bury the hatchet?
3. Why is it hard to bury the hatchet sometimes?

10. Call it quits

Meaning: To end a relationship or stop doing something together.

Example Sentences:

1. They decided to call it quits after five years.
2. We called it quits because we were always fighting.
3. She called it quits with her partner last week.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever called it quits in a friendship?
2. Why do couples sometimes call it quits?
3. How can calling it quits be a healthy choice?

11. Carry a torch for someone

Meaning: To still love someone who does not love you back.

Example Sentences:

1. He still carries a torch for his ex-girlfriend.
2. She carried a torch for him for years.
3. Even after the breakup, he carried a torch for her.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know someone who carries a torch for an old love?
2. How does it feel to carry a torch for someone?
3. What can help someone stop carrying a torch?

12. Catch someone’s eye

Meaning: To attract someone’s attention or interest.

Example Sentences:

1. Her smile caught my eye across the room.
2. The red dress really caught his eye.
3. That boy caught her eye at the party.

Context Questions:

1. What catches your eye when you meet new people?
2. Have you ever caught someone’s eye?
3. Why is catching someone’s eye special in a relationship?

13. Cold shoulder

Meaning: To ignore someone on purpose.

Example Sentences:

1. He gave me the cold shoulder all day.
2. She felt hurt when her friend gave her the cold shoulder.
3. After the fight, he got the cold shoulder from everyone.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever given someone the cold shoulder?
2. Why do people give the cold shoulder in relationships?
3. How do you feel when someone gives you the cold shoulder?

14. Cross paths

Meaning: To meet someone by chance.

Example Sentences:

1. I crossed paths with my old teacher yesterday.
2. They first crossed paths at the library.
3. We often cross paths at the coffee shop.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last cross paths with someone special?
2. Have you ever crossed paths with a celebrity?
3. How can crossing paths change your day?

15. Crush on someone

Meaning: To like someone in a romantic way, often secretly.

Example Sentences:

1. I had a crush on my classmate in high school.
2. She still has a crush on her neighbor.
3. He had a big crush on his English teacher.

Context Questions:

1. Did you ever have a crush on a teacher or friend?
2. How do you act when you have a crush on someone?
3. Why do many teens get crushes easily?

16. Drift apart

Meaning: To slowly grow less close in a relationship.

Example Sentences:

1. We were best friends, but we drifted apart.
2. Over time, the couple drifted apart.
3. They drifted apart after changing jobs.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever drifted apart from a close friend?
2. What causes people to drift apart?
3. Can you reconnect after drifting apart?

17. Dump someone

Meaning: To end a romantic relationship with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. She dumped him after a big fight.
2. He was sad when she dumped him.
3. I think she is going to dump her boyfriend.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been dumped or dumped someone?
2. Why do people decide to dump their partner?
3. How do you feel when you hear someone got dumped?

18. Double date

Meaning: Two couples go out together on a date.

Example Sentences:

1. We went on a double date with my cousin and her boyfriend.
2. They planned a movie night as a double date.
3. A double date can be fun and less stressful.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever gone on a double date?
2. What are some fun ideas for a double date?
3. Would you like to try a double date with friends?

19. End on good terms

Meaning: To finish a relationship without anger or bad feelings.

Example Sentences:

1. They ended their marriage on good terms.
2. We decided to end our project on good terms.
3. Even after breaking up, they stayed friends and ended on good terms.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever ended a friendship on good terms?
2. Why is it important to end on good terms?
3. How can you make sure to end on good terms with someone?

20. Fall for someone

Meaning: To start to love someone.

Example Sentences:

1. I fell for her the first time we met.
2. He fell for his new coworker quickly.
3. They fell for each other during the summer camp.

Context Questions:

1. When was the first time you fell for someone?
2. How do you know when you fall for someone?
3. Can you fall for someone you just met?

21. Fall head over heels

Meaning: To fall deeply in love very quickly.

Example Sentences:

1. She fell head over heels for him after their first date.
2. They fell head over heels in just a few weeks.
3. I never expected to fall head over heels so fast.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever fallen head over heels?
2. What feelings come with falling head over heels?
3. Is falling head over heels always a good thing?

22. Fall out (with someone)

Meaning: To have an argument and stop being friends.

Example Sentences:

1. They fell out over a small mistake.
2. I fell out with my best friend last year.
3. After falling out, they didn’t speak for months.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever fallen out with a close friend?
2. What caused the last fall out you experienced?
3. How can people fix things after they fall out?

23. Fix someone up (with someone)

Meaning: To arrange a date for two people.

Example Sentences:

1. My sister fixed me up with her friend.
2. They fixed him up with a nice girl from work.
3. Can you fix me up with your cousin?

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been fixed up on a date?
2. Would you fix up your friend with someone?
3. How do you feel about being fixed up by others?

24. Friend zone

Meaning: When someone likes another person, but that person only wants to be friends.

Example Sentences:

1. He was sad to be stuck in the friend zone.
2. She put him in the friend zone after their talk.
3. Many people worry about being in the friend zone.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been in the friend zone?
2. How can someone know they are in the friend zone?
3. What should you do if you don’t want to stay in the friend zone?

25. Friends with benefits

Meaning: Friends who have a romantic or physical relationship without being a couple.

Example Sentences:

1. They decided to be friends with benefits.
2. Friends with benefits can be confusing sometimes.
3. She told me she is friends with benefits with her coworker.

Context Questions:

1. What do you think about friends with benefits?
2. Can friends with benefits become a serious relationship?
3. What problems can happen in a friends with benefits situation?

26. Get along like a house on fire

Meaning: To become good friends very quickly and enjoy each other’s company.

Example Sentences:

1. They got along like a house on fire from the first day.
2. My new classmates and I get along like a house on fire.
3. The two coworkers get along like a house on fire.

Context Questions:

1. Who do you get along like a house on fire with?
2. How do you make new friends quickly?
3. What helps people get along like a house on fire?

27. Get cold feet

Meaning: To feel nervous and unsure about doing something important.

Example Sentences:

1. She got cold feet before her wedding.
2. I got cold feet and didn’t speak in front of the class.
3. He got cold feet before the big game.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last get cold feet?
2. How do you overcome getting cold feet?
3. Have you seen someone else get cold feet? What happened?

28. Get hitched

Meaning: To get married.

Example Sentences:

1. They are getting hitched next month.
2. After dating for years, they finally got hitched.
3. I want to get hitched someday.

Context Questions:

1. Do you want to get hitched one day?
2. What is important in a good wedding when people get hitched?
3. How do people celebrate when they get hitched?

29. Give someone the eye

Meaning: To look at someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest.

Example Sentences:

1. He gave her the eye at the party.
2. I noticed someone was giving me the eye last night.
3. She gave him the eye across the room.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever given someone the eye?
2. How can you tell if someone is giving you the eye?
3. Why do people give someone the eye?

30. Go Dutch

Meaning: Each person pays for their own share, usually when eating out or dating.

Example Sentences:

1. We decided to go Dutch at the restaurant.
2. On their first date, they went Dutch.
3. Friends often go Dutch to keep things fair.

Context Questions:

1. Do you prefer to go Dutch on dates?
2. Why do some people like to go Dutch?
3. When is it better not to go Dutch?

31. Go steady

Meaning: To have a serious and exclusive romantic relationship.

Example Sentences:

1. They started to go steady last year.
2. My sister went steady with her boyfriend in college.
3. Going steady means no dating other people.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever gone steady with someone?
2. What does going steady mean to you?
3. Why do some people like to go steady instead of dating many?

32. Go through a rough patch

Meaning: To have a difficult time in a relationship or life.

Example Sentences:

1. They are going through a rough patch but will try to fix things.
2. Everyone goes through a rough patch sometimes.
3. We went through a rough patch but stayed together.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever gone through a rough patch in a friendship?
2. What helps people during a rough patch?
3. Can a rough patch make relationships stronger?

33. Have a crush on someone

Meaning: To like someone romantically, often secretly.

Example Sentences:

1. I have a crush on my classmate.
2. She had a crush on him in high school.
3. Many teens have crushes during school.

Context Questions:

1. Who was your first crush?
2. How do you know when you have a crush?
3. What do people do when they have a crush?

34. Have chemistry

Meaning: To have a natural connection or attraction with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. They have great chemistry together.
2. Good actors need to have chemistry on stage.
3. We felt we had chemistry right away.

Context Questions:

1. How can you tell if you have chemistry with someone?
2. Why is chemistry important in relationships?
3. Can you have chemistry without liking someone?

35. Have a thing for someone

Meaning: To like or be attracted to someone.

Example Sentences:

1. She has a thing for the new boy in class.
2. I think he has a thing for his best friend.
3. Many people have a thing for celebrities.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had a thing for someone?
2. What shows that someone has a thing for another person?
3. Can having a thing for someone change your behavior?

36. Hit it off

Meaning: To quickly become good friends or get along well with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. We hit it off on our first meeting.
2. They hit it off immediately and started working together.
3. It’s easy to hit it off when people share hobbies.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last hit it off with someone new?
2. What helps people hit it off quickly?
3. Can people hit it off online as well as in person?

37. In a relationship

Meaning: To be romantically involved with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. She is in a relationship with her college boyfriend.
2. Are you in a relationship right now?
3. They have been in a relationship for two years.

Context Questions:

1. How do you know when someone is in a relationship?
2. What changes when you are in a relationship?
3. Would you like to be in a relationship soon?

38. In hot water (with someone)

Meaning: To be in trouble or facing problems with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. He is in hot water with his girlfriend after missing their date.
2. I was in hot water with my parents for coming home late.
3. She got in hot water with her boss for being late.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you were in hot water with someone?
2. How do you fix problems when you are in hot water?
3. What can cause people to get in hot water?

39. In the doghouse

Meaning: To be in trouble with someone, especially a partner, because of something you did wrong.

Example Sentences:

1. He’s in the doghouse after forgetting their anniversary.
2. I was in the doghouse for breaking my sister’s phone.
3. You’ll be in the doghouse if you don’t apologize.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been in the doghouse? Why?
2. How can you get out of the doghouse?
3. Why do people get in the doghouse with friends or family?

40. Kiss and make up

Meaning: To stop fighting and become friends again.

Example Sentences:

1. After their argument, they kissed and made up.
2. We should kiss and make up before the party.
3. It’s better to kiss and make up than stay angry.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you kissed and made up with someone?
2. Why is it good to kiss and make up quickly?
3. How do you feel after kissing and making up?

41. Leave someone at the altar

Meaning: To suddenly cancel a wedding or leave the partner just before the ceremony.

Example Sentences:

1. He left her at the altar on their wedding day.
2. She was very sad when he left her at the altar.
3. Leaving someone at the altar hurts a lot.

Context Questions:

1. Have you heard a story about someone being left at the altar?
2. How do you think it feels to be left at the altar?
3. Why might someone leave their partner at the altar?

42. Let someone down easy

Meaning: To tell someone bad news gently, without hurting their feelings too much.

Example Sentences:

1. I had to let him down easy after rejecting his invitation.
2. She let me down easy when she said she didn’t want to date.
3. It’s important to let people down easy when breaking up.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had to let someone down easy?
2. Why is it good to let someone down easy?
3. How would you let someone down easy?

43. Love at first sight

Meaning: To feel love for someone the first time you see them.

Example Sentences:

1. They say love at first sight is rare but real.
2. He felt love at first sight when he met her.
3. Many movies show characters falling in love at first sight.

Context Questions:

1. Do you believe in love at first sight?
2. Have you ever experienced love at first sight?
3. What feelings come with love at first sight?

44. Love-hate relationship

Meaning: A relationship with both strong positive and negative feelings.

Example Sentences:

1. They have a love-hate relationship with their job.
2. Some siblings have a love-hate relationship.
3. Our team has a love-hate relationship with the coach.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know someone with a love-hate relationship?
2. Why do some relationships feel like love-hate?
3. Can love-hate relationships last a long time?

45. Make a move (on someone)

Meaning: To try to start a romantic or physical relationship with someone.

Example Sentences:

1. He finally made a move on her at the party.
2. Don’t be shy to make a move if you like someone.
3. She wasn’t ready when he made a move on her.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever made a move on someone?
2. How do you know when to make a move?
3. What can happen if you don’t make a move?

46. Make up (after a fight)

Meaning: To become friends again after arguing.

Example Sentences:

1. They made up after their big fight.
2. It’s better to make up quickly than stay angry.
3. We made up and felt happy again.

Context Questions:

1. When did you last make up with a friend?
2. How do you feel after making up with someone?
3. What helps people make up after a fight?

47. Married to the job

Meaning: To work very hard and spend most of your time on your job.

Example Sentences:

1. He is married to the job and rarely takes breaks.
2. My mother is married to her job as a nurse.
3. Sometimes being married to the job can be stressful.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been married to the job?
2. How can being married to the job affect life?
3. Is it good or bad to be married to the job? Why?

48. No love lost

Meaning: When two people do not like each other.

Example Sentences:

1. There is no love lost between the two coworkers.
2. They don’t talk because there is no love lost.
3. Even after years, no love is lost between them.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know people who have no love lost between them?
2. Why do some people have no love lost?
3. How can people improve relationships when no love is lost?

49. Old flame

Meaning: Someone you loved in the past.

Example Sentences:

1. I ran into an old flame at the reunion.
2. She still thinks about her old flame sometimes.
3. Old flames don’t always come back.

Context Questions:

1. Do you have an old flame?
2. What do people feel when they see an old flame?
3. Can old flames become new relationships?

50. On the rocks

Meaning: When a relationship or marriage is having serious problems.

Example Sentences:

1. Their marriage is on the rocks.
2. The business is on the rocks because of bad decisions.
3. After the argument, their friendship was on the rocks.

Context Questions:

1. Have you known a relationship on the rocks?
2. What can help a relationship that is on the rocks?
3. When is it better to end a relationship on the rocks?

51. Open relationship

Meaning: A romantic relationship where partners agree to see other people.

Example Sentences:

1. They decided to have an open relationship.
2. Open relationships need trust and honesty.
3. Some people feel happy in open relationships.

Context Questions:

1. What do you think about open relationships?
2. Can open relationships work well? Why or why not?
3. What rules are important in an open relationship?

52. Patch things up

Meaning: To fix a damaged relationship.

Example Sentences:

1. After the fight, they tried to patch things up.
2. It’s hard but possible to patch things up with old friends.
3. We patched things up and became closer again.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever patched things up with someone?
2. What helps people patch things up?
3. Can patched-up relationships become stronger?

53. Puppy love

Meaning: A young or first love that is often innocent and not serious.

Example Sentences:

1. Their puppy love didn’t last long.
2. Many teenagers experience puppy love.
3. Puppy love feels special even if it is short.

Context Questions:

1. Did you ever have puppy love?
2. How is puppy love different from adult love?
3. What do people learn from puppy love?

54. Rekindle the flame

Meaning: To bring back love or strong feelings in a relationship.

Example Sentences:

1. They tried to rekindle the flame after many years apart.
2. A romantic trip helped them rekindle the flame.
3. Sometimes couples rekindle the flame after difficult times.

Context Questions:

1. How can people rekindle the flame in a relationship?
2. Have you seen a couple rekindle the flame?
3. What things help to rekindle the flame?

55. Ride or die

Meaning: A person who is very loyal and supports someone no matter what.

Example Sentences:

1. She is his ride or die friend.
2. Good partners are ride or die.
3. He promised to be my ride or die forever.

Context Questions:

1. Who is your ride or die person?
2. What does it mean to be ride or die?
3. How do you show you are ride or die for someone?

56. Roll with the punches

Meaning: To adjust and keep going when facing difficulties.

Example Sentences:

1. In a tough relationship, you need to roll with the punches.
2. She rolls with the punches and stays positive.
3. Sometimes life is hard, but you must roll with the punches.

Context Questions:

1. How do you roll with the punches in life?
2. Can rolling with the punches help in friendships?
3. Share a time when you had to roll with the punches.

57. Say “I do”

Meaning: To agree to marry someone during a wedding ceremony.

Example Sentences:

1. They said “I do” in a beautiful ceremony.
2. Saying “I do” is an important moment in a wedding.
3. Everyone cheered when the couple said “I do.”

Context Questions:

1. What do people feel when they say “I do”?
2. Have you been to a wedding where people said “I do”?
3. How would you prepare to say “I do”?

58. Settle down

Meaning: To start living a calm life, often by getting married or having a family.

Example Sentences:

1. They decided to settle down after years of traveling.
2. Many people want to settle down in their 30s.
3. After college, he plans to settle down in his hometown.

Context Questions:

1. When do you want to settle down?
2. What does settling down mean to you?
3. How does life change when people settle down?

59. Shoot someone down

Meaning: To reject or refuse someone’s idea or offer strongly.

Example Sentences:

1. He shot her down when she asked him out.
2. The manager shot down my plan during the meeting.
3. Don’t be afraid if someone shoots down your idea.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been shot down by someone?
2. How do you feel when your ideas are shot down?
3. What should you do if someone shoots down your idea?

60. Significant other

Meaning: A person you love or have a serious relationship with.

Example Sentences:

1. She invited her significant other to the party.
2. My significant other is very supportive.
3. People often talk about their significant other in conversations.

Context Questions:

1. How would you describe your significant other?
2. Why is it important to have a good relationship with your significant other?
3. What activities do you like to do with your significant other?

61. Sparks fly

Meaning: When two people feel a strong romantic attraction immediately.

Example Sentences:

1. Sparks flew when they met at the café.
2. You could see the sparks fly between the actors.
3. Sometimes sparks fly on the very first date.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen sparks fly between two people?
2. What does it feel like when sparks fly?
3. Can sparks fly in friendships too?

62. Stand someone up

Meaning: To not show up for a planned meeting or date.

Example Sentences:

1. He was angry when she stood him up.
2. I stood up my friend by mistake once.
3. Standing someone up is rude and hurtful.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever stood someone up? Why?
2. How do you feel when someone stands you up?
3. What should you do if you cannot attend a date or meeting?

63. Stuck in a rut

Meaning: To feel bored or unhappy because of doing the same thing for a long time.

Example Sentences:

1. They were stuck in a rut and needed a change.
2. Being stuck in a rut can hurt a relationship.
3. I felt stuck in a rut at work last year.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever felt stuck in a rut?
2. What can help you get out of a rut?
3. How can couples avoid getting stuck in a rut?

64. Take someone for granted

Meaning: To not appreciate someone and assume they will always be there.

Example Sentences:

1. He took his partner for granted and didn’t say thank you.
2. Don’t take your friends for granted.
3. She felt sad because he took her for granted.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever felt taken for granted?
2. How can you show you don’t take someone for granted?
3. Why do people sometimes take others for granted?

65. The apple of someone’s eye

Meaning: A person who is very special and loved by someone.

Example Sentences:

1. Her son is the apple of her eye.
2. He is the apple of his grandmother’s eye.
3. Parents often say their children are the apple of their eye.

Context Questions:

1. Who is the apple of your eye?
2. How do you show someone they are the apple of your eye?
3. Why is this phrase used to show love?

66. The one that got away

Meaning: Someone you loved but lost and often think about.

Example Sentences:

1. She is still thinking about the one that got away.
2. Many people regret losing the one that got away.
3. He called his old love the one that got away.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know anyone who talks about the one that got away?
2. How do people feel about the one that got away?
3. Can the one that got away come back?

67. Tie the knot

Meaning: To get married.

Example Sentences:

1. They are going to tie the knot next summer.
2. After five years together, they decided to tie the knot.
3. Many couples dream about tying the knot.

Context Questions:

1. When do you think is a good time to tie the knot?
2. What traditions happen when people tie the knot?
3. Would you like a big party when you tie the knot?

68. Two-timer

Meaning: Someone who dates or loves two people at the same time.

Example Sentences:

1. He was a two-timer and lied to both girls.
2. No one wants to be with a two-timer.
3. Being a two-timer can hurt many people.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever met a two-timer?
2. Why do people become two-timers?
3. How can someone protect themselves from a two-timer?

69. Walk down the aisle

Meaning: To get married or go to the wedding altar.

Example Sentences:

1. She was nervous to walk down the aisle.
2. Many people dream about walking down the aisle.
3. He smiled as he watched her walk down the aisle.

Context Questions:

1. What do you think about walking down the aisle?
2. Have you been to a wedding where someone walked down the aisle?
3. How do families prepare for walking down the aisle?

70. Wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning: To show your feelings openly and clearly.

Example Sentences:

1. He always wears his heart on his sleeve.
2. She wears her heart on her sleeve when she talks about love.
3. Some people are afraid to wear their heart on their sleeve.

Context Questions:

1. Are you comfortable wearing your heart on your sleeve?
2. What are the good and bad sides of wearing your heart on your sleeve?
3. Can wearing your heart on your sleeve help in relationships?

Conclusion

Relationship idioms are a fun and useful part of learning English. They help students speak more naturally and understand real conversations about love and friendship. Using these idioms in class makes lessons more interesting and practical.

Teachers can create many activities with relationship idioms to improve students’ speaking and listening skills. When students practice these idioms, they become more confident and ready to use English in everyday life.

Including relationship idioms in your ESL lessons will give your students a strong advantage in speaking about important life topics.

FAQs about using relationship idioms in ESL class

What are relationship idioms?
Relationship idioms are special phrases that describe feelings, actions, or situations about love, friendship, and relationships in a natural way.

Why should ESL students learn relationship idioms?
Learning these idioms helps students understand real English conversations and speak more like native speakers.

How can teachers use relationship idioms in class?
Teachers can use them in conversations, role-plays, questions, and debates to make lessons fun and practical.

Are relationship idioms difficult for students to learn?
Some idioms can be tricky, but with practice and examples, students can learn and use them easily.

Can relationship idioms be used in formal writing?
Usually, relationship idioms are more common in spoken English and informal writing, not formal essays or reports.

How can I help students remember these idioms?
Using games, stories, and repeated practice in conversations helps students remember idioms better.

Can relationship idioms improve students’ speaking skills?
Yes, using idioms helps students speak more naturally and confidently about relationships.

Should idioms be taught all at once?
It is better to teach idioms step by step and review them often so students don’t feel overwhelmed.

Can relationship idioms help students understand movies and songs?
Yes, many movies and songs use idioms, so knowing them helps students enjoy English media more.

Where can I find more relationship idioms for my ESL class?
You can find more idioms in books, online resources, and special ESL teaching websites.