Idioms to get your flirt on

"Roses are red, violets are blue," — you’ve probably heard this one before. If you’re ready to declare your affection for a long-time love or an unspoken crush, here are a few of the sweetest ways to say, “Pucker up buttercup.”

"I'm head over heels."

If you’re in the early stages of a serious relationship, you’re probably feeling deeply, madly in love. The original meaning of this idiom was actually related to people falling — literally. Those who took a bad tumble were described as falling “heels over head,” but by the late 1700s, it changed to “head over heels” and became associated with falling in love.

"I only have eyes for you."

The Flamingos' 1959 doo-wop ballad made this romantic idiom famous. If you’re ready to settle down, you might utter this to suggest you desire nothing more than the one you’re with. The idiom's origin is unclear, but it’s been commonly used since the 1800s.

"It’s a match made in heaven."

It might be fate, kismet, or divine intervention. Whatever the case may be, if you truly love someone, this is a sweet way to suggest it. While most people associate this expression with some sort of divine pairing, there’s also a fun quantum physics tie-in to it. If you believe the "heavens" refers to space, then this idiom could be read as two classes of subatomic particles (what you and your true love are made up of) that are perfectly compatible with one another.

"You wear your heart on your sleeve."

Utter romantics will relate to this expression, which means to openly share and reveal your feelings and emotions. Shakespeare is credited as the author, although it was the villainous Iago who used it in “Othello” to fake vulnerability instead of expressing any sense of romance.

"You take my breath away."

The history behind this expression is pretty literal. People once used it to describe any magnificent act or incident — often related to surprise — that would shock the breath right out of you. Of course, the same could be said today for the brilliance of those we love the most.

"You’re the apple of my eye."

Similar to “only having eyes” for someone, this idiom refers to the person you hold nearest and dearest. It was first used as the anatomical description of the central aperture of your eye, but good ole Shakespeare and the Bible both implemented the phrase in the early 1600s with the more romantic overtones we associate it with today. It became common parlance after Sir Walter Scott’s novel, “Old Mortality” repeated the phrase in 1816.

"Those three little words"

If things are getting serious, you might be feeling pressure to say those three little words. This expression is shorthand for “I love you" and is often used by those on the cusp of saying it as in, “She’s waiting for me to say those three little words.” If you’re ready to take the leap from flirting to commitment, just say it!

"The course of true love never did run smooth."

Whether you’re dealing with unrequited love, a secret crush, or some other conflict, remember that every relationship is bound to hit a few bumps in the road. Even if your heart aches a bit, keep this Shakespearean phrase from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in mind and look ahead.

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