This romantic idioms lesson is easy as pie for the teacher. All you have to do is print it before Valentine’s Day!

Step 1: Students have a discussion about the idioms (20-30 minutes)

Put students into pairs. Designate one person Student A and the other Student B. Pass out the worksheets. Make sure Students are looking at the correct page depending on whether they are Student A or B. Tell students that they shouldn’t look at their partners page. Let students ask and answer the questions in pairs.

If a student doesn’t understand the question with the idiom, then their partner can ask them the second question that explains the idiom. The questions are below.

Student A

Ask your partner the first question and if they don’t understand the idiom, then ask them the second question in parenthesis which helps explain the idiom.

1. What’s the best way to dump someone? Why? (What is the best way to break off a romantic relationship?)
2. Is love at first sight real? Why or why not? (Can people really fall in love just from seeing each other and not talking?
3. How long should a couple date before one of them pops the question? Why? (How long should a couple date before they get engaged?)
4. Is it possible for a couple to wait too long to tie the knot? Why or why not? (Do some couples date too long without getting married?)
5. Is all fair in love and war? Why or why not? (Is it true that you can do whatever you need to do if you’re trying to make someone fall in love with you?)
6. Do you think that absence makes the heart grow fonder? Why or why not? (When people are apart from one another for a long time, do they feel more caring or loving towards one another?)
7. Is teenage love just puppy love or can teenagers truly be meant for each other? Why? (Is teenage love real or will it end soon because it’s immature?)
8. Do you think love is blind? Why or why not? (Can people fall in love even if they don’t find one another good-looking?)
9. Is being lovey-dovey in public acceptable in public? Why or why not? (Is it okay to kiss, hold hands, and hug in public places?)
10. Do you think that blind dates often work out? Why or why not? (When someone goes on a date with someone that they’ve never met or talked to before, do you think that often goes well?)

Student B

Ask your partner the first question and if they don’t understand the idiom, then ask them the second question in parenthesis which helps explain the idiom.

1. How important are those three little words in a relationship? Why? (Is it important to say, “I love you,” in a relationship?)
2. Is it normal to get cold feet on your wedding day? Why or why not? (Is it normal to feel nervous and suddenly unsure about your decision to get married on your wedding day?)
3. What’s your opinion about love-bombing? Why? (What do you think about giving or receiving a really large amount of romantic gestures, such as gifts, messages, and compliments?)
4. Is tough love ever necessary? Why or why not? (Is it ever necessary to be strict with someone that you love?)
5. Do you believe in soulmates? Why or why not? (Do you believe that each of us only has one person in the world meant for us?)
6. Can two people become a couple even if they get off on the wrong foot? Why or why not? (Can two people still get into a relationship together even if they make a bad impression on one another when they first meet?)
7. Is it good or bad to wear your heart on your sleeve? Why? (Is it good to always show what you are feeling outwardly?)
8. Should couples love each other, warts and all? Why or why not? (Should people in a relationship love everything about the other person, including their flaws?)
9. Does playing hard to get work? Why or why not? (If you like someone, is it a good idea to make it difficult for that person to date you, such as by ignoring that person, not showing that you like that person, or pretending not to be interested in that person?
10. Is it true that opposites attract? Why or why not? (Is it true that people with very different personalities or lifestyles will like each other more?)

Step 2: Match the idioms to the definitions. (10 minutes)

Let students try to match the definitions and check their understanding of the idioms.

Idioms	Definitions
1. Wear your heart on your sleeve	A. love someone more because they are far away
2. Tie the knot	B. to be nervous before a big event
3. Get off on the wrong foot	C. to break up a romantic relationship
4. Those three little words	D. to show lots of affection, such as kissing
5. To dump someone	E. to get married
6. Puppy love	F. to make a bad first impression
7. To get cold feet	G. an immature love that will end quickly
8. Tough love	H. to show all of your emotions easily
9. To be lovey dovey	I. to be really strict with someone you love
10. Absence makes the heart grow fonder	J. “I love you.”

Step 3: Students fill in the gaps to unlock a secret message. (10 minutes)

Let students put the idioms into the correct sentences. Then they can take the letters in the squares and write them into the spaces at the bottom of the worksheet to unlock a secret message.

Fill in the blanks with the idioms to unlock the secret message.

1. I’m excited because my friends are setting me up on a ⬚ _ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ tonight. She’s supposed to be smart, funny, and cool. Wish me luck!
2. Joanna and Dave are driving me crazy. They’re too _ _ _ _ _    _ _ _ ⬚ _. Everywhere they go they’re hugging, holding hands, and saying sweet things to each other.
3. Where is Lisa? Oh no! It’s her wedding day, and she’s not here yet! Does she have _ _ _ _    _ ⬚ _ _ ?
4. Can you believe this guy? He _ _ ⬚ _ _ _ me in a text message! How rude!
5. Wow. He is an engineer and she’s a pop star, but they just got married. I guess _ _ _ _ _ ⬚ _ _ _    _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
6. Jaden and Tristan are finally going to _ _ _    _ _ _    _ ⬚ _ _. I just received their wedding invitation.
7. I think this girl is _ _ _ ⬚ – _ _ _ _ _ _ _ me because she sends me at least five romantic messages a day, and yesterday she even sent flowers to my office.

What is the secret message?

⬚ ⬚ ⬚    ⬚ ⬚ ⬚ ⬚

We hope you enjoyed this easy, no-prep Valentine’s Day activity about romantic idioms. If you want another lesson about idioms, Valentine’s Day try Valentine’s Day Craft TEFL Lesson – Positive Affirmations.