Part 1: Relationship Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. Master these to talk about relationships naturally!
Essential Relationship Collocations
| Collocation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| chemistry | "We have great chemistry together." | Natural attraction/connection |
| red flags | "There were several red flags." | Warning signs of problems |
| commitment issues | "He has commitment issues." | Fear of serious relationships |
| long-distance relationship | "They're in a long-distance relationship." | Romance across geographical distance |
| mutual attraction | "There's mutual attraction between them." | Both people like each other |
| serious relationship | "Are you looking for a serious relationship?" | Committed, long-term romance |
Usage Tips:
Chemistry - Natural connection between people
Red flags - Always plural, warning signs
Commitment issues - Usually negative connotation
Practice: Collocations
Exercise 1: Complete the collocations
1. We have great together.
2. There were several red .
3. He has issues.
4. They're in a long- relationship.
5. There's attraction.
Part 2: Relationship Idioms
Idioms are expressions with meanings different from the literal words. These relationship idioms are very common!
Common Relationship Idioms:
- Hit it off - Get along well immediately
"We really hit it off on our first date." - On the rocks - Relationship in trouble
"Their marriage is on the rocks." - Love at first sight - Instant romantic attraction
"It was love at first sight." - Made for each other - Perfect match
"They're made for each other." - Pop the question - Propose marriage
"When will he pop the question?" - Tie the knot - Get married
"They're going to tie the knot next year." - Head over heels - Deeply in love
"She's head over heels for him." - Call it quits - End the relationship
"They decided to call it quits."
Practice: Idioms
Exercise 2: Complete the idioms
1. We really hit it on our first date.
2. Their marriage is on the .
3. It was love at first .
4. When will he pop the ?
5. She's head over for him.
Part 3: Relationship Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with prepositions or adverbs that create new meanings!
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| break up | End a relationship | "They broke up last month." |
| settle down | Start a stable relationship/family | "He's ready to settle down." |
| ask out | Invite on a date | "I want to ask her out." |
| make up | Reconcile after argument | "They made up after the fight." |
| go out | Date someone | "How long have you been going out?" |
| fall for | Fall in love with | "I'm falling for her." |
| get over | Recover from breakup | "It took months to get over him." |
| split up | Separate/divorce | "My parents split up when I was ten." |
Practice: Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 3: Complete with the correct phrasal verb
1. They up last month.
2. He's ready to down.
3. I want to her out.
4. They up after the fight.
5. I'm for her.
Excellent! Now you can talk about relationships like a native speaker!