{"id":68166,"date":"2026-02-17T09:00:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-17T06:00:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/?p=68166"},"modified":"2026-02-06T15:59:54","modified_gmt":"2026-02-06T12:59:54","slug":"english-idioms-about-relationship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.englishcentral.com\/blog\/en\/english-idioms-about-relationship\/","title":{"rendered":"English Idioms About Relationship"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Human relationships are complex, not only because of their nature but also because of how they are expressed. You may get along very well with someone from the first day, or you may start a relationship in the wrong way from the beginning. With some people, you keep your distance, while with others, you may argue like cats and dogs. In addition, power dynamics are often felt in relationships. Sometimes you are in control, and sometimes you find yourself under the influence of the other person. With so many different types of relationships, it is difficult to describe every situation using the same words. English has many idioms related to relationships, which helps enrich the language. In this blog, we will learn some English idioms about relationships and examine them with examples.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Learn English with EnglishCentral<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Building your vocabulary is key to mastering a language, and learning new and generational words along with common words can make a big difference in how fluently and expressively you speak. EnglishCentral gives you the perfect tools and environment to expand your vocabulary, practice new words, and use them with confidence.<\/p>\n

With 25-minute one-on-one lessons for all ages and levels, EnglishCentral offers personalized and effective learning. These online live sessions are led by expert English teachers who guide you step by step, helping you improve at your own pace. You can also join 40-minute group lessons, where you\u2019ll take part in fun, interactive conversations with your teacher and classmates.<\/p>\n

However, EnglishCentral is more than just lessons! You\u2019ll have access to thousands of interactive videos tailored to different interests. With our Watch, Learn, Speak, and Discuss steps, you can reinforce vocabulary and plan private lessons based on your needs. Quizzes, word exercises, and our AI-powered teacher MiMi make practicing English even easier. MiMi is always available to help you navigate different scenarios, from business meetings to ordering food, so you\u2019re prepared for real-life conversations.<\/p>\n

After each lesson, MiMi provides personalized reports, tracking your progress and highlighting areas for improvement. This instant feedback helps you stay focused on your goals and gain the confidence to use English in everyday life.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

25 Idioms About Relationship<\/h2>\n

Now, let\u2019s take a look at the meanings of these idioms and how they are used in everyday life.<\/p>\n

Get on like a house on fire<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To get along very well.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> We got on like a house on fire<\/strong> from the first day.<\/p>\n

Have a soft spot for someone<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To have a special affection or weakness for someone.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong> She has a soft spot for<\/strong> her younger brother.<\/p>\n

Go back a long way<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To have known someone for a long time.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> We go back a long way<\/strong>\u2026 we grew up in the same neighborhood.<\/p>\n

Be in with <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be close to or on good terms with someone.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> He\u2019s in with <\/strong>the manager, so he can do whatever he wants.<\/p>\n

Get off on the wrong foot with someone<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To start a relationship badly.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> I got off on the wrong foot with<\/strong> my new colleague.<\/p>\n

Keep someone at arm\u2019s length <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To keep a distance from someone.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Even though they made peace with each other, she still keeps him at arm\u2019s length<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re like cat and dog <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To argue a lot and not get along.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> My siblings and I are like cats and dogs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Rub someone up the wrong way<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To annoy or irritate someone.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong> His attitude really rubs me up the wrong way<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Be at loggerheads <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> \u200bTo be in strong disagreement.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> The two teams are at loggerheads <\/strong>over the plan.<\/p>\n

Sworn enemies<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> People who are long-term enemies.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong> The two families have been sworn enemies<\/strong> since the old argument.<\/p>\n

Bend over backwards for someone<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To try to help someone in the best way you can.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> She bent over backwards<\/strong> to help her friend.<\/p>\n

Be at someone\u2019s beck and call<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be ready to do whatever someone asks.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong>He expects his assistant to be at his beck and call<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Pull your weight <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To do your role in the work.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong>Everyone needs to pull their weight<\/strong> on this project.<\/p>\n

Do your fair share<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To do the amount of work that is expected of you.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Please do your fair share<\/strong> of the work.<\/p>\n

Take someone under your wing<\/h3>\n

Meaning: <\/strong> To protect, support, and guide someone.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Seeing her potential, the professor took the student under his wing <\/strong>and guided her through the research process.<\/p>\n

Keep tabs on someone <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To watch or monitor someone closely.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Parents like to keep tabs on <\/strong>their children.<\/p>\n

Wear the trousers<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To be the person in control in a relationship.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Everyone knows she wears the trousers <\/strong>in that family.<\/p>\n

Be under the thumb<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong>To be controlled by someone else.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> He\u2019s <\/strong>completely under his boss\u2019s thumb.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Get your wires crossed <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To misunderstand each other.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> We got our wires crossed<\/strong> about the meeting time.<\/p>\n

Get the wrong end of the stick <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To misunderstand something or each other.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> You\u2019ve got the wrong end of the stick<\/strong>\u2026 I wasn\u2019t angry.<\/p>\n

Be left in the dark<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To not be given information.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> We were left in the dark<\/strong> about the decision.<\/p>\n

Talk at cross purposes <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To talk without understanding each other.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong> They were talking at cross purposes <\/strong>the whole time.<\/p>\n

Go round in circles<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To discuss something without reaching a result.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> This discussion is going round in circles<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Leave things up in the air <\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> To leave something undecided or unclear.<\/p>\n

Example: <\/strong>They left the details up in the air<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Birds of a feather<\/h3>\n

Meaning:<\/strong> People who are very similar to each other.<\/p>\n

Example:<\/strong> Birds of a feather<\/strong>, we should stick together.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t

Frequently Asked Questions About English Idioms Related to Relationship<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Now that we learned about the idioms, let\u2019s look at some questions about them.<\/p>\n

How can I use relationship idioms in daily conversations?<\/h3>\n

You can use them when talking about friends, family, work relationships, or romantic situations.<\/p>\n

What does \u201cbe under someone\u2019s thumb\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n

It means to be completely controlled by another person.<\/p>\n

What does \u201cwear the trousers\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n

It means to be the person in control in a relationship.<\/p>\n

What does \u201cget the wrong end of the stick\u201d mean?<\/h3>\n

It means to misunderstand something.<\/p>\n