Learn 10 American English slang words and expressions about relationships! Read the slang words and example sentences, listen to the pronunciation and repeat the words and sentences out loud to improve your English speaking.
hit on
To “hit on” someone means to flirt with, to say or do things that demonstrate romantic interest.
“I wish Peter would stop hitting on me. I’m just not interested in him.”
make out
To “make out” with someone is to kiss passionately.
“When I was a teenager, I’d make out with my boyfriend in the back of his car so that my father wouldn’t see us!”
hook up
If you “hook up” with someone, it means you have casual sex. “Hook up” is usually something you do after going to the bar or a party. In general, it is one night of sex, not in a committed relationship.
“She got drunk and hooked up with some guy she met at the bar.”
player
A man who is a “player” is a man who has relationships with many women or someone who “plays” with women’s emotions. “Player” is generally a negative word.
“I don’t think Rob’s good boyfriend material. He seems like a player.”
knocked up
If a woman gets “knocked up,” it means she got pregnant – often unintentionally (without wanting or planning to).
“Amanda got knocked up by a famous actor, but he claims he’s not the father of the baby.”
Be careful – “Knocked up” is not a very nice expression. Don’t say it about yourself, and never say it directly to a pregnant woman.
pop the question
If a man “pops the question,” it means he asks a woman to marry him.
“Jerry popped the question to his girlfriend on New Year’s Eve – and she said yes!”
wear the pants in the relationship
If a woman “wears the pants” in a relationship, it means she has more control of the relationship than her boyfriend or husband.
“Peter’s wife is the one who wears the pants in the family – she makes all the important decisions.”
old flame
An “old flame” is a person with whom you had a romantic relationship in the past.
“Many affairs start when the husband or wife receives a message from an old flame on Facebook.”
dump
If one person “dumps” their boyfriend or girlfriend, it means they end the relationship.
“Susan dumped her boyfriend after she caught him kissing another girl.”
“Dump” is a rather strong word, usually meaning that the relationship ended badly. If you want to describe the end of a relationship with a more neutral phrase, you can say “She broke up with her boyfriend.”
patch things up
To “patch things up” is to resolve problems or conflicts in a relationship.
“My aunt and uncle were having some problems in their marriage last year, but they’ve patched things up.”
Quiz: American English Slang Words - Relationships
Pick the right slang word to complete each sentence!
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Question 1
"She got ____________ when she was only 16 years old, and the father wanted her to get an abortion."
A
hooked up
B
hit on
C
knocked up
Question 2
"Do you think it's possible to be friends with _______________?"
A
someone who's knocked up
B
making out
C
an old flame
Question 3
"After they _________, he never called her again."
A
were hit on
B
dumped
C
hooked up
Question 4
"Do you think one person should _______________, or should it be an equal partnership?"
A
patch things up
B
be an old flame
C
wear the pants in the relationship
Question 5
"My boyfriend and I got into a huge fight this morning. I hope we can ___________."
A
pop the question
B
patch things up
C
wear the pants in the relationship
Question 6
"Did you have fun at the bar last night?"
"Not really. It was super crowded and the only guy who _________ me was old enough to be my father."
A
made out
B
dumped
C
hit on
Question 7
"Did you hear what happened between Jim and Kelly?"
"No, what?"
"He ___________ her by text message!"
A
made out with
B
dumped
C
wore the pants
Question 8
"How was the movie?"
"The movie was great, but I was annoyed by the teenage couple ___________ in the seats in front of me."
A
making out
B
patching things up
C
hitting on
Question 9
"Don't date Luke - he's _________. He'll break your heart."
A
wearing the pants
B
a player
C
an old flame
Question 10
"Congratulations on your engagement! Tell me, how did he _____________?"
A
pop the question
B
patch things up
C
hook up
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