Idioms
Relationships
The full list of 20 words in this set. Open any word for its pronunciation, collocations, a band 8 sentence and the mistakes Vietnamese learners make.
Learn this set with flashcards20 words
- 1
have chemistry (with someone)idiom / phrase
to have a strong, natural connection or attraction with someone
“On stage, the actors had real chemistry and the audience loved it.”
- 2
thick as thievesidiom/θɪk æz θiːvz/
very close friends who share secrets or spend a lot of time together
“Those two are thick as thieves; they do everything together.”
- 3
make up (with someone)phrasal verb/meɪk ʌp/
to reconcile or become friendly again after an argument
“They always argue but then make up quickly.”
- 4
better halfidiom/ˌbetə ˈhɑːf/
someone's spouse or long-term romantic partner (affectionate)
“I invited my better half to the awards ceremony.”
- 5
bury the hatchetidiom/ˈberi ðə ˈhætʃɪt/
to make peace and stop arguing or being hostile
“After years of rivalry, the two neighbours decided to bury the hatchet.”
- 6
give someone the cold shoulderidiom
to intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way
“After their argument, she gave him the cold shoulder at the party.”
- 7
opposites attractidiom/ˈɒpəzɪts əˈtrækt/
The idea that people with very different personalities are often attracted to each other.
“They argue a lot but somehow stay together — opposites attract.”
- 8
break upphrasal verb/breɪk ʌp/
to end a romantic relationship
“They broke up after three years together.”
- 9
keep someone at arm's lengthidiom
To deliberately avoid getting emotionally close to someone.
“Even though we work together, I try to keep my colleagues at arm's length.”
- 10
a match made in heavenidiom/ə mætʃ meɪd ɪn ˈhɛvn/
Two people or things that are extremely well suited to each other.
“They both love travelling and cooking — they're a match made in heaven.”
- 11
get back togetherphrasal verb/ɡet bæk təˈɡeðə(r)/
to resume a romantic relationship after breaking up
“They broke up last year but got back together in the summer.”
- 12
sweep someone off their feetidiom
To make someone fall completely in love or to be very impressed by someone unexpectedly.
“He swept her off her feet with a surprise trip to Paris.”
- 13
a shoulder to cry onidiom/ə ˈʃəʊldə tuː kraɪ ɒn/
Someone who listens and gives comfort when you are upset.
“After the breakup she needed a shoulder to cry on, so her sister stayed with her all night.”
- 14
have a heart-to-heartidiom/hæv ə ˈhɑːt tə ˈhɑːt/
To have an honest, serious conversation about feelings or important matters.
“We had a heart-to-heart about our future and decided to take a break.”
- 15
love at first sightidiom/lʌv æt fɜːst saɪt/
to feel immediate romantic attraction to someone the first time you see them
“When I met her at the party I felt it was love at first sight.”
- 16
settle downphrasal verb/idiom/ˈsetl daʊn/
to start living a quieter life, often by marrying or staying in one place
“After years of travelling, she finally settled down and bought a house.”
- 17
get cold feetidiom/ɡet kəʊld fiːt/
to suddenly become too nervous to do something you had planned to do
“He was going to propose but he got cold feet at the last minute.”
- 18
on the rocksidiom/ɒn ðə rɒks/
describing a relationship that is experiencing serious problems
“After months of arguing, their marriage was on the rocks.”
- 19
play the fieldidiom/pleɪ ðə fiːld/
to date several people casually rather than being in a committed relationship
“He decided to play the field instead of settling down after university.”
- 20