Relationships

Definition
a) The way in which two or more people or things are connected with or involve each other. There is a close relationship between poverty and crime. b) The way in which two or more people or groups behave towards and are involved with each other. The doctor-patient relationship - The relationships between players from the two teams were pretty friendly. - What was your relationship with your mother like? c) A sexual or romantic relationship, especially one that continues for a long time. Jacks job put a lot of strain on their relationship. Relationships between people or groups are like physical connections. Having a good relationship is like being joined to the other person or group, and ending a relationship is like breaking this connection.

We have been close friends since we were five. We were inseparable as children. I was very attached to him. The school encourages links between students and local businesses. He was left some money by a distant relative. There was a growing rift between president and vice-president. The book describes the deep divisions within the government.

When you improve a bad relationship, it is as if you have fixed or repaired something that is broken.

The meeting was designed mainly as a fence-mending exercise. The first step is to build bridges with the other side. The agreement did no more than paper over the cracks. The visit is part of an attempt to repair the relationship between the two governments.

Useful verbs associated with relationships

He got divorced from his pretty wife. She got engaged to her English fianc at last. She always dreamt marring her best friend. Last week, my sister started/ended her relationship with her

schoolmate. The very first time that they met, they bonded immediately. She had just split/broken up with her boyfriend. My parents separated when I was very young. We are both committed to mending our marriage. Im glad to see that you two have patched things up. Shes very good at smoothing over the differences between

conflicting parties. I was already in a relationship when I met Ben. I had a relationship with Tom. Theyve been going out for years. She got married to my brother George is having an affair with his boss.

To feel attracted to someone: to interest someone in a romantic

or sexual way To flirt with someone: to behave towards someone in a way that To chat with someone up: to start a conversation with someone To get infatuated with someone: in love with someone so much

shows your sexual or romantic interest in them

because you want to have a sexual or romantic relationship with them

that it seems silly, especially because you do not know them very well. To have a crush on someone: a feeling of love and admiration To have a date with someone: (AmE) if you and another person

are dating, or if you are dating someone, the two of you are having a sexual or romantic relationship with each other

To have a blind date: an arrangement in which two people who

have never met before spend some time together, in order to find out whether they like each other enough to start a relationship

To drift apart: if two or more people drift apart, their relationship

gradually ends To dump/ditch someone: to end a sexual or romantic relationship

with someone. To cuddle someone: to put your arms round someone and hold

them close to show that you like or love them.

Phrasal verbs associated with relationships

Look up to = respect Put up with= stand Tell someone off= scold Get on well with= have a good relationship with Call in = visit someone s house Bring someone up = educate Walk out on = abandon Give away = reveal Fall out with= quarrel Turn down = refuse Take after= behave like someone else Look after = take care of

Marital relationships adjectives

Divorced Engaged Unmarried Separated Single

Widow (woman) Widower (man)

Idioms
There are plenty more fish in the sea: It usually refers to the idea that there are many more guys/girls out there to fall in love with He is your flesh and blood: It is used when you refer to a member of your family. That is the pot calling the kettle black: You are the pot calling the kettle black when you point to another person and accuse that person of doing something that you are guilty of doing yourself.

Are you pulling my leg? When you pull a person's leg you are spoofing or making fun of him, usually in a good-humored way That is out of the frying pan into the fire: to get out of one difficult situation only to end up in another. Fall head over heels in love with: When someone falls passionately in love and is intoxicated by the feeling has fallen head over heels in love.

Lovebirds: Two people who love each other, especially young people who show their love in a very obvious way in public. Love bite: A red mark on someones skin, especially on the neck, that is made by sucking while kissing. Love nest: A house or flat where two people go to be together, especially if they are having a secret love affair. Love at first sight: When a person feels romantic passion for a complete stranger upon his or her initial encounter with the stranger. Unrequited love: It is love that is not openly reciprocated or understood as such, even though To not see eye to eye: often argue, disagree

Some useful phrases Children should respect their elders: respect adults. Lets try and make it up: be friends again after a row.

I am senior to her, so she does what she is told shes a junior: refers to position, length of service at work. More words

in law

Parents: father - mother Children: son - daughter Siblings: brother - sister Twins: twin sister - twin brother Later marriage: Step-father - mother / Step-daughter - son Marriage: husband - wife / ex-husband - wife In-laws: father - mother - son - daughter - brother - sister

Grandparents: grandfather - mother Grandchildren: Grandson - daughter Aunts and uncles: uncle - aunt / cousin Nephews and nieces: Nephew - niece

your friend.

Acquaintance: somoene you know a little, who is not

get married to

Fiance: woman you are engaged to and are going to

Fianc: man you are engaged to. Your loved ones: family and friends.

relationship with.

Partner: someone who you live with and have sexual