Sometimes people break up or stop being friends or lovers. This can be sad or sometimes for the best. Here are some ways people talk about breaking up using special phrases called idioms.
Breakup Idioms
Here are 20 breakup idioms in English with meaning and example sentences for each.
1. Call it quits
Meaning: To end a relationship
Example: They decided to call it quits after five years.
2. Drop someone like a hot potato
Meaning: End a relationship suddenly
Example: He dropped her like a hot potato.
3. Kick to the curb
Meaning: To dump someone unceremoniously
Example: She was kicked to the curb yesterday.
4. Cut ties
Meaning: End a relationship completely
Example: They cut ties and moved on.
5. Give someone the boot
Meaning: Break up with someone
Example: She gave him the boot last week.
6. Wash one’s hands of
Meaning: To end involvement with someone
Example: He washed his hands of that relationship.
7. Burn bridges
Meaning: Permanently end a relationship
Example: She burned bridges with her ex.
8. Turn the page
Meaning: Move on from a relationship
Example: It’s time to turn the page and start fresh.
9. Go separate ways
Meaning: Decide to end a relationship
Example: They went their separate ways peacefully.
10. Break new ground
Meaning: Start afresh after a breakup
Example: He’s breaking new ground without her.
11. Drift apart
Meaning: Gradually end a relationship
Example: Over time, they just drifted apart.
12. Cut the cord
Meaning: End a dependent relationship
Example: She finally cut the cord with him.
13. Shake the dust off
Meaning: Leave a relationship behind
Example: He shook the dust off and moved on.
14. On the rocks
Meaning: A relationship in trouble
Example: Their marriage is on the rocks.
15. Let go of baggage
Meaning: Move on from past relationships
Example: It’s time to let go of baggage.
16. Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up on a struggling relationship
Example: They threw in the towel after constant arguing.
17. Start from scratch
Meaning: Begin anew after a breakup
Example: She’s starting from scratch post-breakup.
18. Love is blind
Meaning: Being unaware of flaws in a partner
Example: He didn’t see the signs; love is blind.
19. Mend fences
Meaning: Try to improve a broken relationship
Example: They are trying to mend fences now.
20. Clear the air
Meaning: Resolve lingering issues in a relationship
Example: They met to clear the air and talk.
