Love - Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for IELTS Speaking

Prity Mallick

8 min read

Updated On Sep 08, 2025

Want to achieve native-like fluency? Discover how to use 15 phrasal verbs and idioms about 'Love' in the IELTS Speaking Section. Boost your band scores by looking at the sample answers on Speaking Part 1, Cue cards, and Part 3 follow-up questions.

Love - Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for IELTS Speaking

List of 15 Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic on Love
How to Use the Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for ‘Love’ in IELTS Speaking Answers?
Exercise on the Phrasal Verbs and Idiom for ‘Love’

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The topic, 'Love' is a common and captivating one in the IELTS Speaking test. You might have to speak about relationships, feelings, and experiences which are related to love. Using appropriate vocabulary, especially phrasal verbs and idioms, will help you gain precision, natural flow, and expressiveness to your answers to score a band 8+ in the IELTS Exam.

Let's check out some common phrasal verbs and idioms used in relation to love. Remember to check out the meaning and analyze how to use them in your speaking answers.

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List of 15 Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for IELTS Speaking Topic on Love

As you prepare for the IELTS Speaking Section, you must first get familiar with the words related to the specific topic. This would add depth to your answer and help you score more in the parameter of lexical resources. The following table provides a list of 15 phrasal verbs and idioms for the IELTS Speaking Section which is related to the topic, ‘Love’.

Phrasal Verb / Idiom	Meaning	Example
1. Fall for someone	To begin developing romantic feelings for someone.	I didn’t expect to fall for him, but after spending a few weeks together, I realized I really liked him.
2. Hit it off	To immediately get along well with someone.	We met at a party, and surprisingly, we hit it off instantly.
3. Break up	To end a romantic relationship.	Although they had been dating for three years, they decided to break up due to constant misunderstandings.
4. Make up	Conflict resolution and reconciliation in relationships.	After having an argument that lasted hours, they finally made up and promised to communicate better in the future.
5. Go out with someone	To date	I've been going out with my boyfriend for two years now, and it has been one great ride.
6. Cheat on someone	Infidelity	She had never been so heartbroken before in her life when she realized that he had cheated on her.
7. Head over heels	To be completely in love with someone.	They were head over heels in love, and everyone could see how happy they were together.
8. Love at first sight	In an instant, one feels love for someone on seeing him.	It was love at first sight when I met my partner at the college event.
9. Break someone’s heart	To cause someone to suffer emotionally, in romance.	It broke my heart when my best friend ended his long-term relationship.
10. Tie the knot	To get married to someone.	After dating for five years, they finally decided to tie the knot.
11. Pop the question	To propose marriage.	He planned a surprise picnic to pop the question, and she said yes.
12. On the rocks	Going through difficulties in a romantic relationship.	Their marriage has been on the rocks for months because of constant disagreements.
13. Puppy love	Intense but superficial love often experienced by young persons.	While in school, I had a crush on a fellow student, but it was nothing more than puppy love.
14. The apple of one’s eye	Someone in whom the comprising one loves or cherishes most.	His daughter is the apple of his eye.
15. Love to bits	To love somebody great.	I love my grandparents to bits since they have always stood by me.

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How to Use the Phrasal Verbs and Idioms for ‘Love’ in IELTS Speaking Answers?

Love is one of the most universal and relatable topics which can be asked frequently. For Part 1, there could be questions about relationships, Part 2 cue cards about people you admire, or Part 3 discussions about marriage and culture. Let’s look at the ways you can incorporate the phrasal verbs and idioms about ‘Love’ in your speaking answers.

Let’s check out some of the questions in the IELTS Speaking Part 1. Remember that it is about expressing yourself and talking from personal experience.

Do you believe in love?

Yes, I do believe in love. When I first met my best friend's cousin, it really felt like love at first sight because we instantly connected.

Can you describe a friend or family member who is head over heels in love?

My cousin is head over-heels in love with her boyfriend; she can't stop talking about him, and they are planning to get married soon!

Would you prefer to get married in a simple ceremony or a grand affair?

Well, I would want a wedding ceremony with only a few friends and relatives. I prefer not to have an extravagant one.

As you dive into the Part 2 Cue Card topic, you will have a minute to prepare. It is ideal that you write down at least 5-7 vocabulary words so that you can refer to it while speaking. This will help you to improve your band scores in the parameter of lexical resources. Dive into the cue card topic on love and check out the sample answer for understanding the usage of such phrasal verbs and idioms.

Describe someone you know who is in love.

You should say:

Who the person is
Who they are in love with
How you know about it
And explain how you feel about their relationship

I want to talk about a really good friend of mine, Rohan, who's madly in love with his girlfriend. They met back during their university days and it was practically love at first sight. From the start, it seemed that they clicked fast and hit it off right away because they had shared interests in books and music. Both of them broke the ice by discussing their favourite band and eventually, started listening to music together.

Rohan would often tell me that he fell for her immediately because of her sincerity and wit. The relationship has now lasted about three years, and it's still strong. Just recently, he told me about his plans to pop the question and propose to her for tying the knot.

Their relationship inspires me because it tells me that love does not have to be all dramatic. Rather, it can be uncomplicated, natural, and long-lasting. Seeing them around just makes me believe that people can love to bits.

Since the IELTS Speaking Part 3 would include follow-up questions related to the topic on Love, you must provide your opinion. As there is no preparation time, you must practice using these phrasal verbs or idioms on a regular basis. In this way, you can use them naturally in your answers without the fear of being hesitant while speaking.

Do young people and older people have different experiences of love?

Yes, of course. Young people often engage in puppy love or have a crush on someone, which is a feeling that can be momentary. On the other hand, elderly individuals would consider stability and commitment such as a marriage.

How have technological changes affected the process of falling in love?

Technology has indeed changed the perceptions of many people. Some would fall in love with an individual whom they met online. This would never have been possible previously. Also, social media makes it easy to stay connected, but at the same time, it can sometimes breed jealousy or put pressure on the relationship.

How do people, in your country, generally show love?

In my country, people show love in both subtle as well as extravagant ways. Some like to give small tokens or write love notes while others like to surprise. I guess these days, in the forefront is social media, where affection is openly shared.

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Exercise on the Phrasal Verbs and Idiom for ‘Love’

Now that you are familiar with the phrasal verbs and idioms for the IELTS Speaking topic, ‘Love’, it is time to test your knowledge. Below are the exercises which can help you note your progress level and help build your confidence.

EXERCISE 1. Choose the correct phrasal verb or idiom for the following sentences on ‘Love’

Hit it off	Head over heels	Carry a torch for	Break the ice	Tie the knot
Love at first sight	Fall for	Break up	Have a crush on	On the rocks

1 After constant arguments, they decided to __________.

2 I was nervous before the date, but his jokes helped me to __________.

3 She __________ her friend from college even though he never returned her affection.

4 After ten years, they decided to finally __________.

5 The first sight of him was truly __________ for me.

6 Unfortunately, this marriage is __________ nowadays.

7 He is deeply __________ in his girlfriend; he talks about her all the time.

8 I would __________ my neighbor when I was a teenager.

9 They __________ as soon as they met each other.

10 I can't believe she managed to __________ with a guy she met on the Internet so quickly!

EXERCISE 2. Select the correct phrasal verb or idiom based on the information given in the sentence.

Idioms to Use :

Crush
On the rocks
Break up
Hit it off
Head over heels

1 They split away after a series of confrontations.

They decided to __________.

2 He is so much in love with her.

He is __________ with her.

3 Their relationship is encountering some hiccups.

Their relationship is __________.

4 I really like her a lot.

I have a __________ on her.

5 They became friends as soon as they first met.

They __________ immediately.

Answer for Exercise on the Phrasal Verbs and Idiom for ‘Love’

Well done! Were you able to find all the answers? Let’s look at the correct answers to the exercises on ‘Love’. Remember to analyze the answers and understand the reason behind your selection of the answers. This will help to critically point out the mistakes and refrain yourself from doing it again.

EXERCISE 1.

Break up
Break the ice
Carry a torch for
Tie the knot
Love at first sight
On the rocks
Head over heels
Have a crush on
Hit it off
Fall for

EXERCISE 2.

Break up
Head over heels
On the rocks
Crush
Hit it off

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Use the appropriate phrasal verbs and idioms on ‘Love’ with accuracy, naturalness, and proper context rather than trying to fit them into every IELTS Speaking response. Over time, you will find the expressions flowing naturally which will help you express your feelings and thoughts more vividly. In this way, you will have a greater lexical resource score and get the confidence to speak fluently.