head over heels
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adverb: In a state of complete and often disorderly or uncontrollable enthusiasm, excitement, or infatuation. It describes being so deeply involved or overwhelmed by a feeling (especially love) that one's normal composure or balance is lost.
Usage
This adverb is almost exclusively used to describe the intensity of an emotion, particularly romantic love. It modifies verbs like "to be," "to fall," or "to go."
Examples
- She is head over heels in love with him.
- He fell head over heels for the new intern.
- They went head over heels for the idea and invested immediately.
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used more broadly for any intense enthusiasm or obsession, though romantic love is the most common context.
- The collectors were head over heels about the rare comic book.
Variants and Related Words
- Head-over-heels (adjective): Used before a noun to describe the state itself.
- They had a head-over-heels romance.
Synonyms
- Madly
- Passionately
- Completely
- Hopelessly (e.g., hopelessly in love)
Related Idioms
- To be smitten: To be very much in love with someone.
- To lose one's head: To act irrationally because of strong emotion.
Adverb
- in disorderly haste
- we ran head over heels toward the shelter