How to have a romantic confession but still in Vietnamese style on Valentine's Day, or how to write and speak English with popular idioms about love will be answered in the article below.
Valentine's Day is the perfect occasion to memorize English idioms about love.
10 love idioms
Mr. Le Huynh Duc, Director of Huynh Duc IELTS Center in Da Nang City, suggests you 10 English idioms that were created dozens to hundreds of years ago but are still used today, along with how to apply them in sentences in some contexts and their origins on Valentine's Day.
1. Head over heels
According to the Cambridge dictionary, "head over heels" means "completely in love with another person". The idiom can be used in sentences with prepositions such as: "She fell head over heels in love with him", "He's head over heels for her", "They were head over heels in love".
The phrase first appeared as “heels over head” in the 14th-century Early English Alliterative Poems, where it described a state of being somersaulted, with one’s head on the ground and one’s feet in the air. In the 18th century, a poet reversed the phrase to “head over heels.” It wasn’t until the 19th century that the idiom took on its current meaning of “to be deeply in love.”
2. From the bottom of my heart
This idiom means "very sincerely", roughly understood as from the bottom of the heart, coming from the heart. It is used to express sincere, deep emotions, for example "I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your help", "I love you from the bottom of my heart" or "I am sorry from the bottom of my heart".
The expression originates from the ancient Egyptian idea that the heart, not the brain, is the seat of emotions, reason, soul, and sentiment. It was further developed by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, and was used by the poet Virgil in "The Aeneid" (29–19 BC). The expression was first used in English in the 16th century, in a prayer book: "To be content to forgive from the bottom of his heart."
3. A match made in heaven
This is an English idiom meaning "a perfect couple", made for each other, be it in love, marriage or any partnership, close friends. It implies that two people have great compatibility in personality, interests, values and life goals, creating a harmonious, happy and lasting relationship. "John and Mary are a match made in heaven".
This idiom originates from the ancient concept that fate and relationships are determined by supernatural forces, usually in небесах (heaven). It is believed that there are couples who are destined to be together, and that their union is a good, lucky thing.
Love until the teeth fall out and the hair turns white, a clear proof of the phrase "a match made in heaven"
4. Sealed with a kiss
This is both an idiom and a fairly popular song. Usually, this phrase appears on letters that are handwritten and sealed (maybe with a lipstick kiss on the envelope). The meaning of the idiom is that the sender put a lot of his feelings into the letter (love) like "He sent her a letter sealed with a kiss".
In fact, "sealed with a kiss" originated from a medieval legal practice. At a time when most people in Europe were illiterate, signing legal documents was difficult. To show goodwill and commitment in agreements, people often used a cross (X) instead of a signature. Then, they kissed this cross to complete the contract. This kiss had a binding meaning, showing trust between the parties, not the romantic meaning it has today.
Gradually, this custom spread and was used in letters as well. The kiss on the letter became a symbol of affection, love and promise. The phrase "sealed with a kiss" was born from this, with a romantic meaning and was widely used in popular culture, especially in songs, movies and novels.
5. I have a crush on you
This is an English idiom that means you have a crush on someone, usually in a romantic way. It describes a light, fleeting feeling that may not be deep love, for example: "I have a crush on you, but I'm not sure if it's serious", "She has a crush on the new guy in class".
The English word "crush" comes from the Old French word "croissir" which means "to crush". Originally, the word was used to mean the act of crushing or squeezing something. By the 19th century, the word "crush" began to be used figuratively to mean being infatuated with or fond of someone.
The phrase "I have a crush on you" first appeared around the late 19th century, used in literature to express a light, fleeting affection. The popularity of this phrase in American popular culture is certainly thanks to composers George and Ira Gershwin. In 1928, they wrote the song "I've got a crush on you" for the musical Treasure Girl. The song later became famous.
6. Those three little words
"Those three little words" is a metaphor for the phrase "I love you". The reason people use this expression is because "I love you" is a phrase that carries a lot of meaning, expresses deep feelings and is often considered an important milestone in a relationship. It can be used in sentences like: "He finally said those three little words to her, and she knew he truly loved her".
"I love you", three powerful words often said metaphorically in different ways in different cultures
The exact origin of the phrase "Those Three Little Words" is unclear. However, some theories suggest that it comes from the song "Three Little Words" released in 1930 and was later used again as the title of the book "Those Three Little Words" published in 2022.
7. To be a love rat
"To be a love rat" is a negative idiom used to describe someone who is unfaithful in a relationship, usually a man. They may cheat on their partner, have an affair, or have multiple relationships at the same time, for example: "He's been seeing another woman behind his wife's back. He's such a love rat".
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the first known use of the noun "love rat" was in the 1990s, specifically in 1990 in the Australian Sunday Mail .
8. To tie the knot
The idiom "to tie the knot" means to get married, to get married or to live together. It emphasizes the bond, commitment and long-term connection between two people. This is a common expression and is often used in both spoken and written language.
The phrase "to tie the knot" comes from the ancient Celtic custom of "handfasting." During this ceremony, the bride and groom's hands were tied together with a cord during the ceremony, symbolizing the binding of their lives together. The "knot" symbolized the lasting nature of their union, hence the phrase "tying the knot" meaning to marry.
9. To think that someone hung the moon
In terms of meaning, "to think someone hung the moon" means that you admire, love, or think too highly of someone, to the point of believing that they are perfect and capable of extraordinary things. Sometimes, it also carries a slight ironic connotation, implying that the speaker may be a bit "blind" to the shortcomings of the person they admire. More naturally, it's like "having bright eyes" when talking about someone, or "loving someone to the point of blindness.
Some common uses include: "She thinks her boyfriend hung the moon. She's completely blind to his faults." "He's so in love with her, he thinks she hung the moon."
The expression "to think someone hung the moon" originated in the United States and was first recorded in the writings of Dorothy Dix in 1916 and 1917. Dix, a journalist, may have heard the expression in the southern United States where she grew up, and she may have helped popularize it. Other examples from 1939-1941 show the expression being used in places such as Texas, California, and Hawaii.
10. To be in a love triangle
The phrase "love triangle" itself suggests a three-way relationship, often unbalanced and full of complications. "To be in a love triangle" means to be involved in or in such a situation, as in "She found herself in a love triangle between her best friend and her boyfriend."
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the earliest known use of the noun "love triangle" was in the 1900s, specifically in 1909, in a publication in La Crosse, Wisconsin (USA). This confirms that the phrase has been used to describe complicated romantic relationships since the early 20th century.
10 Valentine's Day confessions in Vietnamese style
Below are 10 love confessions suggested by Ms. Nguyen Le Tuyet Ngoc, an internationally certified English teacher trainer, currently the National Training Director of MTS Testing Agency (UK) and Executive Director of HEW London Center.
Confessing love and successfully getting married is the dream of many people on Valentine's Day.
1. My love for you is deeper than Phong Nha Cave, wider than the Mekong River, and stronger than the bamboo.
2. I want to be your forever xe om driver so that I can always feel you next to me.
3. I would climb to the top of Mount Fansipan backwards and barefoot to prove my love for you.
4. Your love is my safe harbor in a hurricane - Your love is my safe harbor in a hurricane.
5. My love for you burns brighter than a supernova - My love for you burns brighter than a supernova.
6. Your love is like finding the missing puzzle piece in my life.
7. Your love gives me the confidence to take on the world.
8. I deleted all my browsers the moment I met you because my search was over - I deleted all my browsers the moment I met you because my search was over.
9. I pinch myself every time I am next to you because it always feels like a dream.
10. My love for you is magnetic, always pulling me closer even when I am away - My love for you is like a magnet, always pulling me closer even when I am away.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/valentine-hoc-thanh-ngu-ve-tinh-yeu-va-to-tinh-bang-tieng-anh-sieu-lang-man-185250214130800887.htm
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