27 Idioms that Describe Relationships

27 Idioms that Describe Relationships (with Meanings and Examples)

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Relationships are a huge part of everyday life, and English is full of colourful idioms used to describe friendships, romantic relationships, and social connections. Native speakers use these expressions constantly in conversations, films, and writing. Learning idioms that describe relationships will help you sound more natural and fluent, understand spoken English more easily, improve your speaking and writing skills and score higher in Cambridge B2 First and C1 Advanced exams.

Let’s explore some of the most useful and expressive relationship idioms.

Idioms That Describe Close Friendships

Birds of a feather flock together

Meaning: people with similar interests or personalities often spend time together.

You often see them at photography exhibitions — birds of a feather flock together.

Two peas in a pod

Meaning: two people who are extremely similar.

Emma and Lucy are like two peas in a pod. They even dress alike.

Thick as thieves

Meaning: very close friends who trust each other completely.

They’ve been thick as thieves since primary school.

Joined at the hip

Meaning: always together and difficult to separate.

Ever since they started university, they’ve been joined at the hip.

Hit it off

Meaning: to become friends quickly.

I was worried about meeting my new colleagues, but we hit it off immediately.

Know someone inside out

Meaning: to know someone extremely well.

After twenty years of friendship, she knows him inside out.

A shoulder to cry on

Meaning: someone who offers comfort and emotional support.

After the breakup, her sister became her shoulder to cry on.

A friend in need is a friend indeed

Meaning: a true friend helps you during difficult times.

He supported me when I lost my job — a friend in need is a friend indeed.

Through thick and thin

Meaning: remaining loyal during both good and bad times.

They’ve supported each other through thick and thin.

Take someone under your wing

Meaning: to guide and protect someone less experienced.

The senior teacher took the new colleague under her wing.

Idioms That Describe Romantic Relationships

A match made in heaven

Meaning: a perfect romantic pairing.

Their shared sense of humour makes them a match made in heaven.

Fall head over heels

Meaning: to fall deeply and completely in love.

He fell head over heels for her during their first holiday together.

Tie the knot

Meaning: to get married.

They plan to tie the knot next summer.

On the same wavelength

Meaning: thinking or feeling in a similar way.

They’re always on the same wavelength when making decisions.

Get along like a house on fire

Meaning: to become very friendly very quickly.

They met at a conference and got along like a house on fire.

Go the extra mile

Meaning: to make special effort for someone.

He always goes the extra mile to make her feel appreciated.

On the rocks

Meaning: experiencing serious problems in a relationship.

Their relationship has been on the rocks for months.

Idioms about Solving Conflicts

Bury the hatchet

Meaning: to make peace after a disagreement.

After years of rivalry, they finally buried the hatchet.

Patch things up

Meaning: to repair a relationship after an argument.

They argued, but they quickly patched things up.

Mend fences

Meaning: to restore a damaged relationship.

He apologised in an attempt to mend fences with his colleague.

Kiss and make up

Meaning: to become friends again after an argument.

They fought yesterday but kissed and made up this morning.

See eye to eye

Meaning: to agree with someone.

They don’t always see eye to eye, but they respect each other.

Have a heart-to-heart

Meaning: to have an honest and emotional conversation.

They had a heart-to-heart and resolved their misunderstandings.

Idioms about Difficult or Distant Relationships

Burn bridges

Meaning: to destroy relationships permanently.

Leaving without explanation burned bridges with his employer.

Keep someone at arm’s length

Meaning: to avoid becoming emotionally close to someone.

She is friendly but tends to keep colleagues at arm’s length.

Friends in high places

Meaning: having powerful or influential friends.

He managed to solve the problem thanks to friends in high places.

Final Tip for Learners

When describing friendships or relationships, try to move beyond simple phrases like good friends or happy couple. Instead, use vivid idioms such as: