Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and affection, is just around the corner. As an ESL student, immersing yourself in the language of love can be both fun and educational. Let’s explore 20 romantic expressions perfect for Valentine’s Day. These idioms and phrases will help you improve your English language skills and get prepared for Valentine’s.
20 Valentine’s Day Idioms and Phrases
Let’s go over 20 phrases and idioms about love that are great to use on Valentine’s Day!
1. Heart Skips a Beat
Definition: Experiencing a sudden and intense emotion, often when seeing someone attractive.
Example: When he smiled at her, her heart skipped a beat, leaving her breathless.
2. Hearts Aflutter
Definition: To feel excited or nervous, especially in the context of love.
Example: When he handed her the bouquet of roses, her heart was all aflutter with joy.
3. Lovey-Dovey
Definition: Affectionate and romantic moments between couples.
Example: Their lovey-dovey moments during the candlelit dinner made the evening unforgettable.
4. Cupid’s Arrow
Definition: To fall in love suddenly and unexpectedly.
Example: Cupid’s arrow struck when they met at the Valentine’s Day party, and they’ve been inseparable ever since.
5. Love At First Sight
Definition: Falling in love immediately upon meeting someone.
Example: Their eyes met across the crowded room, and it was love at first sight.
6. Sweet Nothings
Definition: Soft, intimate words exchanged between romantic partners.
Example: As they strolled hand in hand, he whispered sweet nothings that made her blush.
7. Head Over Heels
Definition: Completely and intensely in love.
Example: From their first date, she was head over heels for him, captivated by his charm.
8. Butterflies in Stomach
Definition: Feeling nervous or excited, especially before a romantic encounter.
Example: Before the date, she had butterflies in her stomach, unsure of what to expect.
9. Love is in the Air
Definition: The feeling of romance or love being present in the surroundings.
Example: Walking through the park, they felt like love was in the air, surrounded by blooming flowers.
10. A Match Made in Heaven
Definition: The perfect pairing of two people who are ideally suited for each other.
Example: From their shared love for hiking to their identical taste in movies, it was evident that James and Emma were truly a match made in heaven, destined to spend their lives together.
11. Roses are Red
Definition: A classic line from a romantic poem, often used humorously when expressing love. The following is the original poem.
The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou are my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou’d be you.
Example: In his love letter, he wrote, “Roses are red, violets are blue, my love for you is eternal and true.”
12. Tie the Knot
Definition: To get married or enter into a formal and permanent commitment, often associated with the act of exchanging wedding vows.
Example: After years of dating, they decided to tie the knot in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by loved ones.
13. Heart to Heart
Definition: A sincere and open conversation between two people, often involving the sharing of deep emotions or personal feelings.
Example: They sat down for a heart-to-heart conversation, sharing their dreams, fears, and deepest feelings.
14. Love-Struck
Definition: The state of being intensely infatuated or captivated by someone, experiencing a powerful attraction or fascination.
Example: Every time he entered the room, she couldn’t help but feel love-struck, completely captivated by his presence.
15. Lovebirds
Definition: Refers to a couple who are openly affectionate and very much in love, often associated with the behavior of birds expressing affection.
Example: The park was filled with lovebirds, couples enjoying a sunny day together, expressing their love.
16. Swept Off My Feet
Definition: To be completely and overwhelmingly impressed or charmed by someone’s actions, often in a romantic context.
Example: When he surprised her with a heartfelt love letter, she felt swept off her feet.
17. Smitten Kitten
Definition: Playfully expressing being completely infatuated or enamored with someone, often in a cute or charming way.
Example: Whenever he complimented her, she turned into a smitten kitten, blushing and smiling uncontrollably.
18. Puppy Love
Definition: Innocent and youthful romantic feelings, often associated with the affection between children or teenagers.
Example: Their adorable giggles and shy glances revealed the innocence of puppy love blossoming between them.
19. Love Blooms Like Flowers
Definition: Love grows gradually, much like flowers blooming over time.
Example: Their relationship is beautiful, as love blooms like flowers, steadily and naturally.
20. Melt Someone’s Heart
Definition: To make someone feel deeply moved or touched by a gesture or words.
Example: His thoughtful compliments never failed to melt her heart.
Valentine’s Day Idioms and Phrases Quiz
Let’s review the love expressions you’ve learned from above! Try to guess the correct idiom or phrase to go in the blank space.
- Whenever I see her, my ________ because she’s so charming. (Answer: Heart Skips a Beat)
- The couple is always acting ________, whispering sweet words to each other. (Answer: Lovey-Dovey)
- It was as if ________ had struck when they first met; they couldn’t resist each other. (Answer: Cupid’s Arrow)
- He whispered ____________, making her smile and blush. (Answer: Sweet Nothings)
- Before the big presentation, I always get ________, a mix of nerves and excitement. (Answer: Butterflies in Stomach)
- They’re perfect together; it’s like their relationship was ________. (Answer: A Match Made in Heaven)
- After years of dating, they decided to ________ and start a new chapter together. (Answer: Tie the Knot)
- They had a deep and meaningful ________ conversation. (Answer: Heart to Heart)
- His thoughtful gesture managed to ____ her ____ and bring tears to her eyes. (Answer: Melt, Heart)
- The couple was often seen as ________, always together and deeply in love. (Answer: Lovebirds)
Valentine’s Day Activities
If you are interested in more Valentine’s Day activities, check out these articles.
More Holiday Expressions
If you want to learn more English expressions for different holidays, take a look at the following list.
Valentine’s Day Phrases and Idioms FAQs
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Valentine’s Day expressions.
What are some Valentine’s Day sayings?
Here are some romantic sayings that are perfect for Valentine’s Day.
- You make my heart skip a beat.
- Love is the best thing in the world, and the thing that lives the longest.
- You’re the peanut butter to my jelly.
- I’m sweet on you!
- Love is not just one day, it’s every day.
- You complete me.
- You’re the key to my heart.
- Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet, and so are you.
- Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it.
- I love you more than words can express.
- You’re the one I want to share my chocolates with.
- Love is a canvas furnished by nature and embroidered by imagination.
- You’re the sunshine in my darkest days.
- Happy Valentine’s Day to the one who makes my heart race.
- You’re the reason I believe in love.
- Love is the greatest refreshment in life.
- You’re the melody to my heart’s song.
- To the world, you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world.
- Love is the only gold.
- You’re my favorite person to annoy, and my favorite person to love.
What are some idioms about falling in love?
The following are 5 idioms that are about falling in love.
- Head Over Heels: To be deeply in love, often to the point of being disoriented or overwhelmed.
- Love at First Sight: Instantly falling in love with someone the first time you see them.
- Cupid’s Arrow: The idea that one can fall in love suddenly and unexpectedly, as if struck by Cupid’s arrow.
- Swept Off My Feet: Being charmed or captivated to the point of falling in love.
- Love-Struck: To be hit or affected by love, often in a sudden and intense way.
What are some Valentine’s Day quotes?
Here’s a list of famous Valentine’s Day love quotes.
- “Love is not just looking at each other; it’s looking in the same direction.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
- “The best thing to hold onto in life is each other.” – Audrey Hepburn
- “Love is an endless mystery, for it has nothing else to explain it.” – Rabindranath Tagore
- “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you are loved for who you are, and nothing more.” – Bob Marley
- “Love is like the wind, you can’t see it but you can feel it.” – Nicholas Sparks, “A Walk to Remember”
What is the most common phrase used on Valentine Day?
Here are some common phrases and expressions used on Valentine’s Day:
- “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
- “I love you.”
- “You mean the world to me.”
- “Be mine.”
- “You’re the love of my life.”
- “Will you be my Valentine?”
- “Roses are red, violets are blue…”
- “You complete me.”
- “You’re the one for me.”
- “I’m grateful to have you in my life.”
- “Sending you love and hugs.”
- “You’re my heart’s desire.”
- “Love is in the air.”
- “You’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
- “Thinking of you on this special day.”
- “Forever yours.”
- “Love you more than words can say.”
- “You make my heart skip a beat.”
- “You’re my Valentine every day.”
- “I cherish every moment with you.”
Valentine’s Day Phrases and Idioms: Join the Conversation
Which one is your favourite expression for this special day? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
