As this significant cultural, religious, and commercial celebration of romance and love comes around the corner once again, Valentine’s Day is expected to take over media, trends, wallets and, pretty much, our lives – for at least those flowery and chocolatey 24 hours.
In the US alone, spending is expected to reach $23.9 billion this year, up from $21.8 billion in 2021 and the second-highest year on record, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. Chocolatiers, the retail sector and the flower peddling industry have their hands full this time of the year.
So, let’s dive right into the language we’ll encounter! As English language learners and English language teachers (but mostly English language lovers), let’s brace ourselves for heart-to-heart talks, hearty meals, heartfelt poetry, rom-coms…
Love at first sight
Falling in love the moment you first see someone.
“It was love at first sight for Sandy and Mark; they fell in love immediately and were married four months later!”
Heartfelt
Something felt deeply and strongly. Something true from the heart: a heartfelt apology, heartfelt thanks, etc
“She expressed her heartfelt thanks to all those who had helped and supported her.”
To feel one’s “heart sink”
Used when someone becomes sad or disappointed about something.
“My heart sank when I found out I had not won the award; I truly felt I deserved it!”
Hearty
Used to describe something friendly and enthusiastic: a “hearty welcome”. Also used to talk about a plentiful meal.
“When we returned from our mountain hike, a hearty stew was waiting for us in the dining room.”
A heart-to-heart
A heart-to-heart is a conversation between two people in which they talk freely and from the heart.
“I had a heart-to-heart with Andrew, and we sorted out all our problems.”
To fall/be head over heels in love
To fall or be madly in love with someone.
“The groom and bride were head over heels in love and couldn’t stop looking in each other’s eyes during the ceremony.”
To be smitten by someone
Having strong feelings of affection or attraction for someone.
“He was so smitten by her that he promised to move to Greece to be near her.”
To be the apple of someone’s eye
When someone is very fond or proud of you, you are the “apple of their eye”.
“Jenny was the apple of his eye, his source of inspiration and she meant everything to him.”
A match made in heaven
A relationship that is certain to succeed. A perfect matching of two people.
“When those two started dating, we all knew it was a match made in heaven: they were perfect for each other.”
A change of heart
Used to talk about a change in attitude or when someone changes their mind.
“After a long conversation, she had a change of heart and decided to stay with him.”
