To be head over heels in love
What does it mean?
When you are head over heels in love with someone you love them very deeply in a romantic sense. Typically this phrase is used to describe when someone has fallen in love very quickly.
This phrase is also sometimes (perhaps rarely) used to describe a non-romantic liking for something.
Where does it come from?
Head over heels comes from the phrase heels over head which dates back to the 1300s. At this time the phrase meant to do a cartwheel or somersault. In the 19th Century, this phrase became “to be head over heels in love”. This is the way which the phrase is most commonly used today.
How can I use it?
One way to use this phrase is with the verb “to be” to say that someone is in this state:
- They‘re head over heels in love.
- He‘s head over heels in love with her.
The most common verb to use with this phrase is “to fall”. For example:
- She’s fallen head over heels in love with him.
- I’m falling head over heels in love.
We might also use “to find + reflective pronoun”, for example, when describing a story:
- Before she knows it, she finds herself head over heels in love with her intern.
A number of adverbs can be used before this phrase with the verbs already mentioned. “Just” is typically used when this phrase is actually being used to express liking something in a non-romantic way. “Still” is often used with couples who have been together a long time.
- I’m just head over heels in love with this pie.
- He fell completely head over heels in love with his colleague.
- My grandparents are still head over heels in love.
What are some examples?
- Let them have some space. They’re obviously head over heels in love with each other.
- I can’t help falling head over heels in love with the wrong guys.
- If you’re lucky, one day you’ll wake up and find yourself head over heels in love with someone.
- I’m just head over heels in love with this pie. You must give me the recipe.
What are some similar or related expressions?
- to be swept off one’s feet
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