Love life is one common thing we all can relate with all the people around the world. Every individual has experienced a good relationship, a bad relationship, getting engaged, getting married, being unrequited, or break-ups. Do you know that, in English, we have cool expressions to tell people about our love life situation, ET Mates?
These expressions are used to describe where you and your partner are without being too obvious. However, English speakers are used to applying these expressions in their daily conversations. Therefore, let’s learn how to use English expressions about love naturally and clearly.
Got engaged VS to be engaged
Although both ‘got engaged’ and ‘be engaged’ show that you already commit to a next-level relationship, there is a difference between the words, ET Mates. The expression ‘got engaged’ means the first time you agreed to the proposal or to commit to the next-level relationship. Meanwhile, the expression ‘be engaged’ means how long you have committed to the next-level relationship.
Let’s check out these examples, ET Mates:
- Malcolm and Marie got engaged in January 2021.
- Malcolm and Marie have been engaged for four months.
The same rules also apply to the words ‘got married’ and ‘be married’, ET Mates!
Popped the question
This expression doesn’t literally mean asking random questions to your partner. When someone says ‘popped the question’ they mean the question. Yup! The question is, “will you marry me?” In other words, it refers to a marriage proposal. So, have your partner popped the question, ET Mates?
I or she has a ring!
When someone tells you that they have a ring, they don’t mean to sound conceited by showing you their brand new ring. It is the casual way to say that they are engaged, and engagement culture always involves a ring. However, you cannot use this expression as a question, ET Mates. That would sound weird if you ask someone, “Hey, do you have a ring?” We suggest you use this expression only to tell people that you are engaged.
To fester
Having festered in your relationship is a big no, ET Mates. It means that you and your partner have had a problem for a very long time, but you both never talk about it. So, it is illustrated like a wound that you don’t immediately take care of. It becomes septic. The consequence of having septic is it takes longer to heal. That’s why we call it ‘to fester’.
“You should really let her know that her attitude hurts your feelings. Don’t let this one fester.”
Go a bit sour
Actually, this expression is used with milk and other dairy products. If you have a bottle of milk inside your fridge for three months and you don’t do anything with it, one day you will open your fridge and it will smell unpleasant. You will also find out that the milk will taste sour.
So, if someone uses this expression to explain their love life, this means that their love has “expired”. It was warm at first, but now it’s just cold. As in dairy products, it tasted correctly just like proper milk, now it’s sour, smells bad, and could intoxicate our souls.
Which one can you use to describe your life, ET Mates? We hope it hasn’t gone a bit sour. Probably, right now some of you are too busy building your life and have no time to focus on relationships? Actually, that’s great, ET Mates. Check out this article about business idioms for independent individuals like you. However, now that you know, you can express your love life better in English in the future, ET Mates. Good luck!
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