Getting married is a big moment in many people’s lives. It brings families together and marks the start of a new chapter. Because marriage is so important, people have made many fun and interesting sayings about it. These sayings are called idioms. Idioms are special phrases that mean something different from the words you see. They make language more colorful and help people express feelings in creative ways.
When people talk about getting married, they sometimes use idioms to share their excitement or talk about wedding plans. These idioms are often used in stories, TV shows, and even in everyday conversations. Some are funny, and some are sweet. In this article, we will look at 40 idioms that are all about getting married. You’ll learn what they mean, how to use them, and fun facts about where they came from.
Idioms for Getting Married
1. Tie the knot
Meaning: To get married
Example Sentence:
• My aunt and uncle tied the knot last summer.
• Lisa and Mark are tying the knot next weekend.
Other ways to say: Get married, say “I do”
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from an old tradition where hands were tied together during weddings.
Usage: Used to talk about someone getting married.
2. Walk down the aisle
Meaning: To get married in a wedding ceremony
Example Sentence:
• Emma walked down the aisle in a white dress.
• He was nervous before walking down the aisle.
Other ways to say: Get married, have a wedding
Fun Fact/Origin: The aisle is the path in a church or wedding place.
Usage: Used when talking about the wedding ceremony.
3. Get hitched
Meaning: To get married (informal)
Example Sentence:
• They got hitched in Las Vegas.
• My cousin is getting hitched this fall.
Other ways to say: Tie the knot, say vows
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hitched” means to be tied together, like a wagon.
Usage: Often used in fun, casual conversation.
4. Pop the question
Meaning: To ask someone to marry you
Example Sentence:
• He popped the question during dinner.
• She said yes when he popped the question at the beach.
Other ways to say: Propose, ask to marry
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pop” means sudden, just like a surprise question.
Usage: Used when someone asks for marriage.
5. Say “I do”
Meaning: To agree to marry during a wedding
Example Sentence:
• They said “I do” in front of family and friends.
• Everyone cheered when the couple said “I do.”
Other ways to say: Agree to marry, say yes at the altar
Fun Fact/Origin: “I do” is the answer to the question, “Do you take this person…?”
Usage: Said during wedding vows.
6. Jump the broom
Meaning: To get married (especially in some traditions)
Example Sentence:
• They jumped the broom at the end of the wedding.
• The couple honored their roots by jumping the broom.
Other ways to say: Get married, tie the knot
Fun Fact/Origin: From a wedding tradition in African American culture.
Usage: Used in weddings with special customs.
7. Take the plunge
Meaning: To decide to get married
Example Sentence:
• After five years, they took the plunge.
• He finally took the plunge and asked her to marry him.
Other ways to say: Get married, make the big decision
Fun Fact/Origin: “Plunge” means to jump into water—marriage can feel like a big dive!
Usage: When someone decides to marry after thinking about it for a while.
8. Put a ring on it
Meaning: To get engaged or married
Example Sentence:
• He finally put a ring on it after dating her for years.
• She smiled when he put a ring on it during dinner.
Other ways to say: Propose, get engaged
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular from Beyoncé’s song “Single Ladies.”
Usage: Used when someone gives a ring as a promise to marry.
9. Settle down
Meaning: To start a quiet married life
Example Sentence:
• They moved to the suburbs to settle down.
• He was ready to settle down and have a family.
Other ways to say: Start a home, begin married life
Fun Fact/Origin: “Settle” means to stop moving around.
Usage: Used when someone wants a calm, steady life.
10. Off the market
Meaning: Someone is no longer single
Example Sentence:
• After the wedding, she’s officially off the market.
• He’s off the market now—he just got married.
Other ways to say: Married, taken
Fun Fact/Origin: Like products in a store, if you’re “off the market,” you’re no longer available.
Usage: Used to say someone is married or in a serious relationship.
11. Marry into money
Meaning: To marry someone who is rich
Example Sentence:
• She married into money and now lives in a big house.
• He didn’t plan to marry into money—it just happened.
Other ways to say: Wed someone wealthy, join a rich family
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase focuses on the financial side of marriage.
Usage: Used when someone marries a person from a rich family.
12. Go to the chapel
Meaning: To get married
Example Sentence:
• They’re going to the chapel this weekend.
• We all got dressed up to go to the chapel.
Other ways to say: Get married, walk down the aisle
Fun Fact/Origin: From the song “Going to the Chapel of Love.”
Usage: Used in a fun or musical way to say someone is getting married.
13. Get cold feet
Meaning: To feel nervous before a wedding
Example Sentence:
• He got cold feet the night before the wedding.
• She almost got cold feet but still went through with it.
Other ways to say: Get scared, feel nervous
Fun Fact/Origin: Cold feet can mean hesitation or fear.
Usage: Used when someone is unsure right before marriage.
14. Match made in heaven
Meaning: A perfect couple
Example Sentence:
• They are a match made in heaven.
• Everyone says we’re a match made in heaven.
Other ways to say: Perfect pair, meant to be
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to a love so strong it seems created above.
Usage: Used to describe couples who fit together very well.
15. Tie the matrimonial knot
Meaning: To get married
Example Sentence:
• They tied the matrimonial knot in a garden ceremony.
• Many dream of tying the matrimonial knot someday.
Other ways to say: Get hitched, say “I do”
Fun Fact/Origin: “Matrimonial” means marriage, and “knot” means connection.
Usage: A more formal way to say someone got married.
16. Blushing bride
Meaning: A happy and excited bride
Example Sentence:
• The blushing bride walked into the room with joy.
• She looked like a blushing bride in her white dress.
Other ways to say: Beautiful bride, glowing bride
Fun Fact/Origin: Brides used to blush because they were shy or happy.
Usage: Used to describe a bride who looks joyful.
17. Wedded bliss
Meaning: A happy married life
Example Sentence:
• They are enjoying their wedded bliss.
• Wedded bliss means sharing life with your best friend.
Other ways to say: Happy marriage, loving life
Fun Fact/Origin: “Wedded” means married; “bliss” means great happiness.
Usage: Used to talk about joyful married life.
18. Wedding bells
Meaning: A wedding is happening
Example Sentence:
• We heard wedding bells for the couple.
• Do I hear wedding bells for those two?
Other ways to say: A wedding is near, time to get married
Fun Fact/Origin: Bells were once rung to mark weddings.
Usage: Used to suggest or announce a wedding.
19. On cloud nine
Meaning: Extremely happy
Example Sentence:
• She was on cloud nine after the proposal.
• They were on cloud nine on their wedding day.
Other ways to say: Overjoyed, super happy
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cloud nine” means the highest level of happiness.
Usage: Used to describe feelings after getting married or engaged.
20. Lovebirds
Meaning: Two people in love
Example Sentence:
• Those two lovebirds are getting married.
• The lovebirds couldn’t stop smiling.
Other ways to say: Sweethearts, couple in love
Fun Fact/Origin: Some birds stay in pairs, just like couples.
Usage: Used to describe couples who are very affectionate.
21. The old ball and chain
Meaning: A humorous way to refer to a spouse
Example Sentence:
• He jokes about his wife being the ball and chain.
• Some people call their spouse the old ball and chain.
Other ways to say: Spouse (joking), partner
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from a heavy chain used in jails—now used in fun.
Usage: A funny way some use to talk about marriage.
22. Seal the deal
Meaning: To make marriage official
Example Sentence:
• They sealed the deal with a kiss.
• The wedding sealed the deal.
Other ways to say: Make it official, complete the promise
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from business, now used for marriage too.
Usage: Used to say the marriage is complete.
23. Join in holy matrimony
Meaning: To get married in a religious way
Example Sentence:
• They were joined in holy matrimony at church.
• The couple joined in holy matrimony last spring.
Other ways to say: Get married in church, spiritual union
Fun Fact/Origin: A formal phrase often heard in church weddings.
Usage: Used in religious or traditional weddings.
24. Down the aisle of forever
Meaning: To begin a lifelong marriage
Example Sentence:
• They walked down the aisle forever together.
• Their journey down the aisle of forever began with love.
Other ways to say: Begin married life, start forever
Fun Fact/Origin: “Forever” shows lasting love; aisle means wedding path.
Usage: Used to describe the start of married life.
25. Wedlock
Meaning: The state of being married
Example Sentence:
• They’ve been in wedlock for ten years.
• A child born in wedlock means the parents were married.
Other ways to say: Marriage, union
Fun Fact/Origin: “Lock” means bound together—joined forever.
Usage: A formal word for being married.
26. Just married
Meaning: Recently got married
Example Sentence:
• Their car had a “Just Married” sign on the back.
• The just-married couple went on a road trip.
Other ways to say: Newlyweds, married today
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase is often written on cars after weddings.
Usage: Used to celebrate a fresh marriage.
27. Hitched for life
Meaning: Married forever
Example Sentence:
• They said they were hitched for life.
• He promised to stay hitched for life.
Other ways to say: Married forever, lifelong couple
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hitched” means joined—like horses pulling together.
Usage: Used to describe long-term marriage.
28. Bridal bliss
Meaning: Joy felt by a bride
Example Sentence:
• She was full of bridal bliss.
• Her bridal bliss showed in every smile.
Other ways to say: Bride’s joy, wedding happiness
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from “bliss,” meaning joy.
Usage: Used to describe a bride’s happiness on her wedding day.
29. Go all out
Meaning: To do something big or fancy
Example Sentence:
• They went all out for their wedding.
• The couple went all out with flowers and cake.
Other ways to say: Make it big, do everything fancy
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for parties and big events.
Usage: Describes fancy or special weddings.
30. Put a ring on her finger
Meaning: To get engaged or married
Example Sentence:
• He put a ring on her finger at the beach.
• Everyone cheered when he put a ring on her finger.
Other ways to say: Propose, ask to marry
Fun Fact/Origin: Wedding rings are a symbol of love.
Usage: Used when talking about proposals or marriage.
31. Tie the life knot
Meaning: Join lives through marriage
Example Sentence:
• They tied the life knot in front of family and friends.
• Tying the life knot means they are together forever.
Other ways to say: Get married, become one
Fun Fact/Origin: “Life knot” is a poetic way to describe marriage.
Usage: Used to talk about joining lives.
32. The big day
Meaning: A person’s wedding day
Example Sentence:
• Her big day is coming up next week.
• They planned the big day for months.
Other ways to say: Wedding day, special day
Fun Fact/Origin: Called “big” because it’s so important.
Usage: Common way to describe the wedding date.
33. Walk into forever
Meaning: To start married life
Example Sentence:
• They walked into forever hand in hand.
• Walking into forever is the start of something great.
Other ways to say: Start married life, begin a journey
Fun Fact/Origin: “Forever” means lasting forever—like love in marriage.
Usage: Used to talk about lifelong commitment.
34. Make it official
Meaning: To legally become married
Example Sentence:
• They went to the courthouse to make it official.
• Now that they’ve made it official, they’re a team.
Other ways to say: Get legally married, sign the papers
Fun Fact/Origin: Official means legally true.
Usage: Used for legal marriage actions.
35. Two become one
Meaning: Two people join as a couple
Example Sentence:
• At the wedding, two became one.
• They believe marriage means two become one.
Other ways to say: United in marriage, joined together
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from wedding vows.
Usage: Describes the joining of two lives.
36. Give your hand in marriage
Meaning: To agree to marry
Example Sentence:
• She gave her hand in marriage.
• He asked her father for her hand in marriage.
Other ways to say: Agree to marry, accept proposal
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old times when permission was asked.
Usage: A formal way to say someone agreed to marry.
37. White wedding
Meaning: A traditional wedding with a white dress
Example Sentence:
• She always dreamed of a white wedding.
• The white wedding was held in a big church.
Other ways to say: Classic wedding, traditional marriage
Fun Fact/Origin: White dresses became popular with Queen Victoria.
Usage: Describes weddings with classic style.
38. Hand in hand for life
Meaning: To live life together after marriage
Example Sentence:
• They walked hand in hand for life.
• Marriage means staying hand in hand through everything.
Other ways to say: Together forever, lifelong partners
Fun Fact/Origin: Holding hands shows love and support.
Usage: Used to describe strong married life.
39. Marriage made in heaven
Meaning: A very happy and perfect marriage
Example Sentence:
• Their marriage is made in heaven.
• Everyone says their marriage was meant to be.
Other ways to say: Perfect marriage, dream couple
Fun Fact/Origin: Means the couple is a perfect fit.
Usage: Used for happy couples.
40. Start a new chapter
Meaning: Begin a new part of life through marriage
Example Sentence:
• They started a new chapter together.
• Marriage is a new chapter in life.
Other ways to say: Begin a journey, turn a new page
Fun Fact/Origin: Like in books, each chapter is a fresh start.
Usage: Used to describe beginning married life.
Quiz: Idioms for Getting Married
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “tie the knot” mean?
A) To get a new job
B) To go on vacation
C) To get married
2. If someone “pops the question,” what are they doing?
A) Asking someone to marry them
B) Asking a hard math problem
C) Starting a fight
3. What does “get cold feet” mean before a wedding?
A) Someone wants to dance
B) Someone is nervous about getting married
C) Someone lost their shoes
4. If two people are called “lovebirds,” what does that mean?
A) They argue a lot
B) They are in love
C) They are brothers
5. What does “off the market” mean after someone gets married?
A) They went shopping
B) They are no longer single
C) They are changing jobs
6. When someone “walks down the aisle,” what are they doing?
A) Going grocery shopping
B) Walking in a parade
C) Getting married
7. What does “put a ring on it” mean?
A) Putting a ring in a jewelry box
B) Giving a ring to ask someone to marry
C) Selling a ring at a store
8. If someone “settles down,” what does that mean?
A) They are preparing for a nap
B) They are starting a married life
C) They are moving to a new school
9. What does it mean when a couple is “a match made in heaven”?
A) They have the same birthday
B) They are the perfect pair
C) They work at the same place
10. If someone says they are “just married,” what does that mean?
A) They are about to eat lunch
B) They got married recently
C) They met for the first time
11. What does “go all out” mean for a wedding?
A) They ran out of cake
B) They forgot to plan
C) They made everything fancy and special
12. What does “start a new chapter” mean in marriage?
A) Reading a new book
B) Beginning married life
C) Changing jobs
Answer Key
- C – To get married
- A – Asking someone to marry them
- B – Someone is nervous about getting married
- B – They are in love
- B – They are no longer single
- C – Getting married
- B – Giving a ring to ask someone to marry
- B – They are starting a married life
- B – They are the perfect pair
- B – They got married recently
- C – They made everything fancy and special
- B – Beginning married life
Wrapping Up
Getting married is a big step in life. That’s why there are so many idioms to describe it. These phrases make talking about weddings more fun and full of feeling. From “tying the knot” to “walking down the aisle,” each saying tells a little story.
Now that you know these idioms, try to listen for them in songs, shows, or stories. They help us talk about love and marriage in special ways. You can even use them when writing or speaking about weddings.
