Relationships are the ways we connect with other people. This can mean friendships, family ties, or even classmates who work together. Sometimes, people use idioms to talk about their relationships. Idioms are phrases that don’t mean exactly what they say but help us understand things in a more fun or colorful way.
In this article, you’ll learn about different idioms people use to talk about their relationships. These expressions can show when people get along well, have arguments, or go through changes. Knowing these idioms can help you understand others better and make your own conversations more interesting.
Idioms for Relationships
1. Hit it off
Meaning: To get along well right away.
Samples: We hit it off the first time we met. / Mia and her new friend hit it off at the party.
To Put it Another Way: They liked each other right away. / They became friends fast.
2. On the same page
Meaning: To agree or understand each other.
Samples: My best friend and I are always on the same page. / We were on the same page during the project.
To Put it Another Way: We both understood. / We agreed easily.
3. A shoulder to cry on
Meaning: Someone who listens and supports you when you’re sad.
Samples: After I lost my pet, Emma was a shoulder to cry on. / I was his shoulder to cry on after the fight.
To Put it Another Way: She was there for me. / I helped him feel better.
4. Break the ice
Meaning: To start talking and make people feel comfortable.
Samples: He told a joke to break the ice at lunch. / We played a game to break the ice in class.
To Put it Another Way: We made things less awkward. / He helped everyone feel relaxed.
5. See eye to eye
Meaning: To agree with someone.
Samples: We don’t always see eye to eye, but we try. / They saw eye to eye on the project idea.
To Put it Another Way: They agreed. / We had the same thoughts.
6. Like two peas in a pod
Meaning: Two people who are very close and similar.
Samples: Sarah and Lily are like two peas in a pod. / We’re like two peas in a pod when it comes to games.
To Put it Another Way: We do everything together. / We are really alike.
7. Have a falling out
Meaning: To have a fight or disagreement that hurts a friendship.
Samples: We had a falling out, but we made up. / They had a falling out after the game.
To Put it Another Way: We stopped being friends for a while. / They had a big argument.
8. Patch things up
Meaning: To fix a relationship after a fight.
Samples: We patched things up after our fight. / He tried to patch things up with his sister.
To Put it Another Way: We made up. / He fixed the friendship.
9. Get along
Meaning: To be friendly and not fight.
Samples: We get along well in class. / My cousins and I always get along.
To Put it Another Way: We are friendly. / We don’t fight.
10. Have someone’s back
Meaning: To support and help someone.
Samples: I always have my friend’s back. / She knew her brother had her back.
To Put it Another Way: I will help them if needed. / He supports me.
11. Go their separate ways
Meaning: To stop being together or doing the same thing.
Samples: After school, we went our separate ways. / They went their separate ways after the group project.
To Put it Another Way: They each did their own thing. / We didn’t stay together.
12. Through thick and thin
Meaning: Staying loyal in both good and bad times.
Samples: She stood by me through thick and thin. / We’ve been friends through thick and thin.
To Put it Another Way: We stayed friends no matter what. / He never left my side.
13. A fair-weather friend
Meaning: Someone who is only around during good times.
Samples: He turned out to be a fair-weather friend. / A fair-weather friend doesn’t help when things go wrong.
To Put it Another Way: They leave when things get hard. / They aren’t true friends.
14. Put yourself in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To imagine how someone else feels.
Samples: Try to put yourself in her shoes before judging. / I put myself in his shoes and felt sorry.
To Put it Another Way: I tried to understand his feelings. / I imagined what it was like for her.
15. Walk all over someone
Meaning: To treat someone badly and take advantage of them.
Samples: Don’t let your friends walk all over you. / He felt like she was walking all over him.
To Put it Another Way: They weren’t being fair. / She treated him poorly.
16. Get off on the wrong foot
Meaning: To start a relationship badly.
Samples: We got off on the wrong foot but became friends later. / They got off on the wrong foot at the meeting.
To Put it Another Way: We didn’t start well. / Our first meeting wasn’t great.
17. No love lost
Meaning: Two people who don’t like each other.
Samples: There’s no love lost between those two classmates. / No love lost means they don’t get along.
To Put it Another Way: They don’t like each other. / There’s tension between them.
18. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To make peace and stop fighting.
Samples: We buried the hatchet and became friends again. / They finally buried the hatchet after weeks of arguing.
To Put it Another Way: We stopped fighting. / We made peace.
19. Be on good terms
Meaning: To have a friendly relationship.
Samples: I’m on good terms with my neighbors. / They’re on good terms even after the argument.
To Put it Another Way: We’re friendly. / We don’t have problems.
20. Stormy relationship
Meaning: A relationship with a lot of arguments or problems.
Samples: Their stormy relationship had many ups and downs. / It was a stormy relationship, full of fights.
To Put it Another Way: They argued a lot. / It wasn’t peaceful.
21. Build bridges
Meaning: To fix a bad relationship.
Samples: I’m trying to build bridges with my teammate. / She built bridges with her cousin after the fight.
To Put it Another Way: We’re trying to be friends again. / I want to fix our bond.
22. Put up a wall
Meaning: To block others from getting close.
Samples: After being hurt, she put up a wall. / He puts up a wall so no one sees his feelings.
To Put it Another Way: She doesn’t let others in. / He hides his emotions.
23. Talk behind someone’s back
Meaning: To say unkind things about someone without them knowing.
Samples: It hurt when they talked behind my back. / Don’t talk behind people’s backs.
To Put it Another Way: They said mean things secretly. / That’s gossip.
24. Mend fences
Meaning: To repair a broken relationship.
Samples: I’m trying to mend fences with my friend. / They mended fences after a long fight.
To Put it Another Way: We’re fixing our friendship. / We’re talking again.
25. Crossed paths
Meaning: To meet by chance.
Samples: We crossed paths again at the mall. / I crossed paths with my old friend on the bus.
To Put it Another Way: We met by accident. / I ran into them.
26. Friend to the end
Meaning: A loyal and true friend.
Samples: She’s a friend to the end. / I know he’s my friend to the end.
To Put it Another Way: I can count on them. / They’ll always be there.
27. Like oil and water
Meaning: Two people who don’t mix well.
Samples: We’re like oil and water we just don’t get along. / They don’t mix, like oil and water.
To Put it Another Way: We’re very different. / We don’t fit together.
28. Close-knit
Meaning: A group that is very close and supportive.
Samples: My family is close-knit. / We have a close-knit team.
To Put it Another Way: We are very connected. / We support each other.
29. Love-hate relationship
Meaning: A relationship with both strong good and bad feelings.
Samples: I have a love-hate relationship with my brother. / It’s a love-hate relationship with that game.
To Put it Another Way: I like and dislike them at the same time. / It’s fun but also annoying.
30. Tie the knot
Meaning: To get married.
Samples: They tied the knot last summer. / My aunt and uncle tied the knot last year.
To Put it Another Way: They got married. / They became husband and wife.
Find the Topics: Idioms for Relationships
Activity: “A Rough Patch and a Fix”
It was a rainy Friday when Jason and Marcus had a falling out. They were like two peas in a pod before the argument, always on the same page. But that day, something changed. They didn’t see eye to eye during the group activity, and by lunch, they weren’t talking. Jason talked behind Marcus’s back, which made things worse.
Over the weekend, Jason felt bad. He thought maybe he should try to patch things up. On Monday, he decided to break the ice by sitting with Marcus at lunch. “Let’s bury the hatchet,” he said. Marcus nodded. They were ready to build bridges.
By Friday, they were getting along again. “You’ve always had my back,” Marcus said. “You’re a friend to the end.” Jason smiled. They were back to being close-knit once more.
Your Task:
Can you underline or list all 8 idioms for relationships used in this passage?
Answer Key
- Had a falling out
- Like two peas in a pod
- On the same page
- See eye to eye
- Talk behind someone’s back
- Patch things up
- Break the ice
- Bury the hatchet
Conclusion
Relationships are a big part of our lives. We laugh, play, and sometimes argue with the people around us. Idioms like “bury the hatchet” or “like two peas in a pod” help us describe these moments in simple, fun ways.
Learning idioms for relationships helps us talk about friendship, teamwork, and feelings in a better way. Whether you’re getting along or mending fences, these phrases help you share your story clearly.
