A1 Idiom Informal

Head over heels.

Deeply in love.

Significado

To be completely and intensely in love with someone.

🌍

Contexto cultural

In the US, being 'head over heels' is often celebrated as the ideal state for a new couple. It is frequently seen in 'Rom-Com' movies where characters make grand, impulsive gestures. British English uses the phrase similarly, but sometimes with a touch of 'understated' irony. A friend might say 'You're a bit head over heels, aren't you?' as a gentle tease. On platforms like Instagram or TikTok, #headoverheels is a popular hashtag for engagement photos and anniversary posts. It is a 'visual' idiom often paired with heart emojis. In older English literature, you might find the original 'heels over head.' Reading it in a book from the 1600s usually means someone literally fell down, not that they are in love.

💡

Use 'for'

Always remember: head over heels FOR someone. Using 'with' is okay but 'for' is more natural.

⚠️

Not for family

We don't usually use this for parents or children. It is almost strictly romantic.

Significado

To be completely and intensely in love with someone.

💡

Use 'for'

Always remember: head over heels FOR someone. Using 'with' is okay but 'for' is more natural.

⚠️

Not for family

We don't usually use this for parents or children. It is almost strictly romantic.

🎯

Add 'falling'

Use 'falling head over heels' to describe the exciting start of a relationship.

💬

Song lyrics

Listen for this in pop songs! It's one of the most common idioms in music history.

Ponte a prueba

Complete the sentence with the correct idiom.

I can't stop thinking about her. I think I'm falling head over _______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: heels

The full idiom is 'head over heels.'

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?

Choose the correct option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: He is head over heels for his new wife.

The idiom is primarily used for romantic love for a person.

Match the situation to the phrase.

Which situation best fits 'head over heels'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Proposing to your partner after a month because you love them so much.

This shows the intense, sudden love the idiom describes.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue.

A: 'Is Mark still dating that girl?' B: 'Dating? He's _______ for her! He bought her a diamond ring!'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: head over heels

This is the standard form of the idiom.

Match the idiom to its meaning.

Match the following:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Head over heels = Deeply in love

While all relate to love, 'head over heels' is the most common idiom for intense devotion.

🎉 Puntuación: /5

Ayudas visuales

Where to use 'Head over Heels'

❤️

Romantic

  • Weddings
  • First Dates
  • Anniversaries

Non-Romantic

  • New Hobbies
  • Dream Jobs
  • Favorite Songs

Banco de ejercicios

5 ejercicios
Complete the sentence with the correct idiom. Fill Blank A1

I can't stop thinking about her. I think I'm falling head over _______.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: heels

The full idiom is 'head over heels.'

Which sentence uses the idiom correctly? Choose A2

Choose the correct option:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: He is head over heels for his new wife.

The idiom is primarily used for romantic love for a person.

Match the situation to the phrase. situation_matching B1

Which situation best fits 'head over heels'?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Proposing to your partner after a month because you love them so much.

This shows the intense, sudden love the idiom describes.

Fill in the missing part of the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Is Mark still dating that girl?' B: 'Dating? He's _______ for her! He bought her a diamond ring!'

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: head over heels

This is the standard form of the idiom.

Match the idiom to its meaning. Match B1

Empareja cada elemento de la izquierda con su par de la derecha:

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Head over heels = Deeply in love

While all relate to love, 'head over heels' is the most common idiom for intense devotion.

🎉 Puntuación: /5

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

You can, but it sounds very dramatic. It's better to say 'I'm crazy about my new car.'

It is always plural: 'heels'.

Not at all! It is used every day in modern English.

Yes, this is a very common and perfect way to use the phrase.

No, it is 99% used figuratively for love.

There isn't a direct idiom, but you could say someone is 'indifferent' or 'cold.'

Yes, it is gender-neutral. Anyone can be head over heels.

No, it is too informal and emotional for professional emails.

Because when you do a somersault, your heels go over your head. The phrase just got flipped over time!

Both are used, but 'for' is more common in American English.

Frases relacionadas

🔗

fall for someone

similar

To start to love someone.

🔄

smitten

synonym

Very attracted to someone.

🔄

crazy about

synonym

To like someone very much.

🔗

blinded by love

builds on

Not seeing faults because of love.

🔗

puppy love

contrast

Young, shallow love.

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