From best friends to black sheep: the vocabulary of getting close and drifting apart.
Each expression comes with a short meaning and an example sentence.
Hitting It Off
hit it offto like each other from the first meeting
We met at a party and hit it off straight away.
We met at a party and hit it off straight away.
inseparablealways together, very close
As children, my brother and I were inseparable.
As children, my brother and I were inseparable.
best friendsyour closest friends
Anna and I have been best friends since school.
Anna and I have been best friends since school.
thick as thievesvery close, sharing secrets
Those two are thick as thieves; they tell each other everything.
Those two are thick as thieves; they tell each other everything.
soulmatestwo people who are perfect for each other
After 30 years of marriage, they still say they are soulmates.
After 30 years of marriage, they still say they are soulmates.
Getting Serious
an itemin a romantic relationship
Are Tom and Sara an item now?
Are Tom and Sara an item now?
moving in togetherstarting to live in the same home
We are moving in together next month.
We are moving in together next month.
popping the questionasking someone to marry you
He is popping the question on her birthday.
He is popping the question on her birthday.
tying the knotgetting married
They are tying the knot in June.
They are tying the knot in June.
settling downstarting a calm life, often with a partner
After years of travelling, she is ready for settling down.
After years of travelling, she is ready for settling down.
Falling Out
drift apartslowly become less close
We drifted apart after university.
We drifted apart after university.
on the outsnot friendly with someone at the moment
My sister and I are on the outs again.
My sister and I are on the outs again.
holding a grudgestaying angry about something from the past
He is still holding a grudge about the money.
He is still holding a grudge about the money.
not on speaking termsso angry that you do not talk
The two neighbours are not on speaking terms.
The two neighbours are not on speaking terms.
burned bridgesdamaged a relationship so it cannot be fixed
She burned bridges with her old boss when she left.
She burned bridges with her old boss when she left.
It’s Complicated
on-again-off-againa relationship that keeps stopping and starting
They have an on-again-off-again relationship.
They have an on-again-off-again relationship.
a love-hate relationshipstrong good and bad feelings at the same time
I have a love-hate relationship with my job.
I have a love-hate relationship with my job.
mixed signalsmessages that seem to say two different things
He keeps sending me mixed signals.
He keeps sending me mixed signals.
a rocky patcha difficult time in a relationship
Every couple goes through a rocky patch.
Every couple goes through a rocky patch.
hot and coldfriendly one day, distant the next
She is so hot and cold; I never know where I stand.
She is so hot and cold; I never know where I stand.
Making Up
patch things upfix a relationship after an argument
They patched things up over dinner.
They patched things up over dinner.
bury the hatchetagree to stop arguing
It is time to bury the hatchet and move on.
It is time to bury the hatchet and move on.
clear the airtalk openly to end bad feelings
We had a long talk to clear the air.
We had a long talk to clear the air.
water under the bridgea past problem that does not matter now
Don’t worry about last year. It’s water under the bridge.
Don’t worry about last year. It’s water under the bridge.
back on good termsfriendly again after a problem
My cousin and I are back on good terms.
My cousin and I are back on good terms.
Losing Touch
lose touchstop being in contact
We lost touch when she moved to Canada.
We lost touch when she moved to Canada.
grow apartbecome less close over time
Old friends sometimes grow apart.
Old friends sometimes grow apart.
fall out of contactstop talking or writing to each other
We fell out of contact after the wedding.
We fell out of contact after the wedding.
a distant relativea family member who is not closely related
A distant relative left him some money.
A distant relative left him some money.
used to be closewere close in the past, but not now
We used to be close, but now we rarely talk.
We used to be close, but now we rarely talk.
Family Ties
immediate familyparents, brothers, sisters and children
Only immediate family came to the funeral.
Only immediate family came to the funeral.
extended familyaunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents
My extended family meets every Christmas.
My extended family meets every Christmas.
in-lawsthe family of your husband or wife
We are having dinner with my in-laws on Sunday.
We are having dinner with my in-laws on Sunday.
black sheepthe person who is different from the rest of the family
My uncle was always the black sheep of the family.
My uncle was always the black sheep of the family.
the spitting image oflooks exactly like
She is the spitting image of her mother.
She is the spitting image of her mother.
New Additions
expectinggoing to have a baby
My sister is expecting her first child.
My sister is expecting her first child.
welcome to the familysaid to a new family member
Welcome to the family! We are so happy for you both.
Welcome to the family! We are so happy for you both.
a new arrivala new baby
Congratulations on the new arrival!
Congratulations on the new arrival!
doting grandparentsgrandparents who love and spoil the children
The baby has two sets of doting grandparents.
The baby has two sets of doting grandparents.
the next generationthe younger people in a family
The farm will pass to the next generation.
The farm will pass to the next generation.
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