Relationship Idioms
Human relationships are complicated, and English has many idioms to describe friendships, conflicts, and everything in between.
Friendship and Connection
Hit it off
Meaning: To immediately get along well
- We hit it off right away at the party.
- My parents hit it off with her parents.
- The new colleagues hit it off from day one.
Get along like a house on fire
Meaning: To get along extremely well
- Those two get along like a house on fire.
- We got along like a house on fire from the start.
- The kids got along like a house on fire at camp.
Two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two very similar people, very close friends
- Those twins are two peas in a pod.
- My daughter and her best friend are two peas in a pod.
- They think alike - two peas in a pod.
Thick as thieves
Meaning: Very close, sharing secrets
- Those two have been thick as thieves since childhood.
- The sisters are thick as thieves.
- Once they became thick as thieves, no one could separate them.
Have someone’s back
Meaning: To support and protect someone
- Don’t worry, I’ve got your back.
- Real friends always have your back.
- I know my team has my back.
Usage: “Have someone’s back” is common in both casual and professional contexts.
Through thick and thin
Meaning: Through good times and bad times
- They’ve been friends through thick and thin.
- We’ll support you through thick and thin.
- Marriage means staying together through thick and thin.
In the same boat
Meaning: In the same difficult situation
- We’re all in the same boat here.
- Don’t worry, you’re not alone - we’re in the same boat.
- New parents are all in the same boat.
Conflict and Problems
At each other’s throats
Meaning: Fighting or arguing constantly
- Those two are always at each other’s throats.
- The siblings are at each other’s throats again.
- The departments are at each other’s throats over budget.
Get on the wrong side of someone
Meaning: To make someone angry or become their enemy
- Don’t get on the wrong side of the boss.
- He somehow got on the wrong side of the whole department.
- You don’t want to get on her wrong side.
Rub someone the wrong way
Meaning: To annoy or irritate someone
- His attitude rubs me the wrong way.
- Something about her just rubs me the wrong way.
- Be careful not to rub the clients the wrong way.
Have a bone to pick with someone
Meaning: To have a complaint or disagreement to discuss
- I have a bone to pick with you about the meeting.
- She has a bone to pick with her neighbor.
- Before we start, I have a bone to pick with management.
Clear the air
Meaning: To resolve a misunderstanding or tension
- We need to talk and clear the air.
- After the argument, they finally cleared the air.
- Let’s clear the air before the project starts.
Tip: “Clear the air” is a great expression for suggesting a difficult but necessary conversation.
Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To end a conflict, make peace
- It’s time to bury the hatchet and move on.
- They finally buried the hatchet after years of fighting.
- Can we bury the hatchet and work together?
Give someone the cold shoulder
Meaning: To ignore someone, treat them coldly
- After the fight, she gave him the cold shoulder.
- Don’t give me the cold shoulder - let’s talk!
- He’s been giving everyone the cold shoulder since the promotion.
Burn bridges
Meaning: To damage relationships permanently
- Don’t burn bridges when you leave a job.
- She burned her bridges with that comment.
- It’s never wise to burn bridges in your industry.
Trust and Loyalty
Put your trust in someone
Meaning: To have confidence in someone
- I put my trust in my partner completely.
- They put their trust in the new leader.
Take someone at their word
Meaning: To believe what someone says
- I’ll take you at your word - just don’t let me down.
- Can we take him at his word?
- I took her at her word and it was a mistake.
True colors
Meaning: Someone’s real character or intentions
- Under pressure, people show their true colors.
- His true colors came out eventually.
- The crisis revealed her true colors - she’s reliable.
Stab someone in the back
Meaning: To betray someone who trusted you
- I can’t believe she stabbed me in the back!
- He stabbed his partner in the back to get the promotion.
- Be careful - some people will stab you in the back.
Blood is thicker than water
Meaning: Family bonds are stronger than other relationships
- He chose his brother’s side - blood is thicker than water.
- In the end, blood is thicker than water.
Dating and Romance
Puppy love
Meaning: Immature, first love (usually teenagers)
- Their relationship is just puppy love.
- I remember my first puppy love in high school.
Head over heels
Meaning: Deeply in love
- She’s head over heels in love with him.
- They fell head over heels for each other.
On the rocks
Meaning: In trouble (relationship)
- Their marriage is on the rocks.
- The partnership has been on the rocks for months.
- When things are on the rocks, communication is key.
Tie the knot
Meaning: To get married
- They’re finally tying the knot next month!
- After ten years together, they tied the knot.
- When are you two going to tie the knot?