Missing someone is a feeling we all experience. It can happen when a friend moves away, a family member goes on a trip, or when someone we care about is no longer near us. These moments can make us feel lonely or sad. To help express this feeling, people use special phrases called idioms. Idioms are groups of words that have meanings different from what the words usually mean.
In this article, we’ll learn about idioms people use to talk about missing someone. These idioms help us understand and share our feelings in a fun and easy way. Some of them might sound a little silly, but they have deep meanings. By learning these idioms, you can better say how you feel when someone you care about isn’t around.
Idioms About Missing Someone
1. Out of sight, out of mind
Meaning: When someone is not around, they are easy to forget.
Example Sentence:
• After moving to a new school, he stopped texting me. I guess it’s out of sight, out of mind.
• I don’t hear from her anymore. Maybe it’s out of sight, out of mind.
Other ways to say: Easy to forget, slips your mind
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase dates back to ancient times and means that we forget things we don’t see.
Usage: Used when someone forgets another person because they are not around.
2. Heart skips a beat
Meaning: Feeling strong emotion when you think of someone you miss.
Example Sentence:
• My heart skips a beat every time I see his photo.
• When I got her message, my heart skipped a beat.
Other ways to say: Feel excited, feel emotional
Fun Fact/Origin: It compares emotions to how your heart might feel if it suddenly jumped.
Usage: Used to show strong feelings, often love or longing.
3. Long for someone
Meaning: To deeply want to be with someone.
Example Sentence:
• I long for my cousin who moved to another state.
• She longs for her dad who travels a lot.
Other ways to say: Miss badly, yearn for
Fun Fact/Origin: The word “long” in this case means “to want deeply.”
Usage: Used when you really miss someone and want to see them.
4. Cry over spilled milk
Meaning: To be upset over something you can’t change, like someone leaving.
Example Sentence:
• I miss him, but crying over spilled milk won’t help.
• She’s gone now. No use crying over spilled milk.
Other ways to say: Don’t dwell on it, move on
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is from the idea that once milk is spilled, you can’t get it back.
Usage: Used when missing someone but knowing nothing can be done.
5. Pining for someone
Meaning: Feeling sad because you miss someone.
Example Sentence:
• He’s been pining for his best friend since summer break started.
• She pines for her grandma who lives far away.
Other ways to say: Longing for, missing deeply
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pining” comes from an old word meaning pain or suffering from love.
Usage: Used when someone is missing someone and feeling very sad.
6. A hole in my heart
Meaning: A feeling of emptiness because someone is gone.
Example Sentence:
• Since Grandpa passed away, there’s been a hole in my heart.
• Not seeing her everyday leaves a hole in my heart.
Other ways to say: Feeling empty, missing a part
Fun Fact/Origin: It uses the image of a heart missing a piece to show emotional pain.
Usage: Used when someone is greatly missed and their absence hurts.
7. Wish you were here
Meaning: Feeling sad that someone isn’t with you.
Example Sentence:
• This beach is fun, but I wish you were here.
• I’m watching our favorite movie and I wish you were here.
Other ways to say: Miss you, want you here
Fun Fact/Origin: Common phrase used in postcards or texts when someone is far away.
Usage: Used when talking to or about someone you miss during a special time.
8. Like a part of me is missing
Meaning: Feeling incomplete when someone is gone.
Example Sentence:
• She’s been gone for a week, and it feels like a part of me is missing.
• I feel like a part of me is missing without my dog.
Other ways to say: Not whole, incomplete
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows how close someone is to your heart.
Usage: Used when someone feels empty or sad due to another person’s absence.
9. Can’t get someone off my mind
Meaning: Thinking about someone all the time.
Example Sentence:
• Ever since he left, I can’t get him off my mind.
• She’s been gone a day, and I can’t get her off my mind.
Other ways to say: Always thinking about, stuck in my head
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom shows how powerful memories or feelings can be.
Usage: Used when someone is missed so much they’re always in your thoughts.
10. Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning: We love people more when they are not with us.
Example Sentence:
• Since she moved, I miss her more. I guess absence makes the heart grow fonder.
• I didn’t know how much I liked him until he left.
Other ways to say: Love grows with distance, miss more with time
Fun Fact/Origin: A very old phrase that means people realize their feelings more when someone is gone.
Usage: Used when feelings grow stronger during a time apart.
11. Tear at the heart
Meaning: To cause deep emotional pain.
Example Sentence:
• Seeing her empty chair tears at my heart.
• His goodbye letter really tore at my heart.
Other ways to say: Hurts deeply, painful to see
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase shows how emotions feel like something is pulling on your heart.
Usage: Used when someone’s absence causes strong sadness.
12. Feel blue
Meaning: To feel sad or down.
Example Sentence:
• I’ve been feeling blue since my friend moved away.
• She feels blue every time her mom goes on a trip.
Other ways to say: Sad, gloomy
Fun Fact/Origin: The color blue has long been used to show sadness.
Usage: Used to talk about feeling down, especially when someone is missed.
13. Carry a torch for someone
Meaning: To continue loving or missing someone.
Example Sentence:
• He still carries a torch for his first girlfriend.
• She carries a torch for her old best friend.
Other ways to say: Still has feelings, holds on
Fun Fact/Origin: From old times when someone would hold a torch to show they cared.
Usage: Used when someone keeps strong feelings after someone leaves.
14. Lost without you
Meaning: Feeling confused or incomplete without someone.
Example Sentence:
• I’m lost without my sister around.
• He says he’s lost without his best buddy.
Other ways to say: Don’t know what to do, feel alone
Fun Fact/Origin: It shows how much someone depends on another person.
Usage: Used when someone feels unsure or lonely because someone is gone.
15. Feel like a third wheel
Meaning: Feeling left out when you miss someone you usually spend time with.
Example Sentence:
• Without my friend, I feel like a third wheel at lunch.
• She didn’t show up, and I felt like a third wheel with the others.
Other ways to say: Left out, alone
Fun Fact/Origin: A “third wheel” is extra—like a tricycle wheel where it’s not needed.
Usage: Used when someone misses a friend and feels left out.
16. Go down memory lane
Meaning: Remembering past times with someone you miss.
Example Sentence:
• I looked at our photos and went down memory lane.
• That song takes me down memory lane with my cousin.
Other ways to say: Reminisce, think back
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like walking through memories in your mind.
Usage: Used when remembering someone who is missed.
17. Miss like crazy
Meaning: To miss someone a lot.
Example Sentence:
• I miss my dog like crazy when I’m at school.
• She misses her grandma like crazy.
Other ways to say: Miss badly, miss a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s a casual and strong way to show deep feelings.
Usage: Used to show intense missing in everyday talk.
18. My heart aches for you
Meaning: Feeling emotional pain because someone is not around.
Example Sentence:
• My heart aches for you when you’re gone.
• Her heart aches for her cousin overseas.
Other ways to say: Feel sad for, miss deeply
Fun Fact/Origin: Compares feelings to physical pain in the heart.
Usage: Used when expressing deep longing for someone.
19. Count the days
Meaning: Waiting eagerly to see someone again.
Example Sentence:
• I’m counting the days until summer when I see my cousin.
• She’s counting the days till her dad returns.
Other ways to say: Looking forward to, can’t wait
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when someone misses someone and keeps track of time.
Usage: Used when waiting for someone with excitement and longing.
20. Send love from afar
Meaning: To send caring thoughts to someone far away.
Example Sentence:
• I’m sending love from afar to my grandma in Texas.
• She always sends love from afar in her letters.
Other ways to say: Thinking of you, sending care
Fun Fact/Origin: A gentle way to show you care even from far away.
Usage: Used when you can’t be with someone but want them to know you care.
21. Can’t wait to see you
Meaning: Feeling excited and impatient to meet someone again.
Example Sentence:
• I can’t wait to see you next week!
• She can’t wait to see her dog after vacation.
Other ways to say: Looking forward, eager to meet
Fun Fact/Origin: A simple phrase that shows happy anticipation.
Usage: Used when someone is excited to reunite.
22. Left a mark
Meaning: Someone made a big impact and is missed.
Example Sentence:
• He left a mark on all of us at school.
• Her smile left a mark on my heart.
Other ways to say: Made a difference, unforgettable
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how someone’s presence stays even when they’re gone.
Usage: Used to show how someone is remembered and missed.
23. My mind drifts to you
Meaning: Thoughts keep going to the person you miss.
Example Sentence:
• During class, my mind drifts to you.
• Her mind always drifts to her brother in college.
Other ways to say: Thinking of, can’t stop thinking
Fun Fact/Origin: “Drift” means moving softly, like how thoughts can float.
Usage: Used when someone often thinks about another person.
24. Emptiness inside
Meaning: Feeling empty because someone is not with you.
Example Sentence:
• There’s an emptiness inside when she’s not home.
• He felt emptiness inside after his friend moved.
Other ways to say: Feeling hollow, missing something
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to show strong emotional feelings of loss.
Usage: Used when someone feels a big emotional gap.
25. Gone but not forgotten
Meaning: Someone is missed and remembered.
Example Sentence:
• My old neighbor is gone but not forgotten.
• She’s gone but not forgotten by her classmates.
Other ways to say: Always remembered, never forgotten
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used to honor people who moved or passed away.
Usage: Used when someone is no longer around but still loved.
26. Feel their absence
Meaning: Notice that someone isn’t around.
Example Sentence:
• We really feel her absence at the dinner table.
• His absence is felt on the team.
Other ways to say: Miss their presence, feel the gap
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows how much someone means to a group or place.
Usage: Used when missing someone changes how things feel.
27. Ache to be near
Meaning: Wanting badly to be with someone.
Example Sentence:
• I ache to be near my best friend again.
• She aches to be near her mom.
Other ways to say: Long to see, need to be with
Fun Fact/Origin: Uses the word “ache” to show deep emotional need.
Usage: Used when someone wants to see another person very much.
28. In your thoughts
Meaning: Thinking of someone even if they’re not there.
Example Sentence:
• You’re always in my thoughts.
• He keeps his grandma in his thoughts during holidays.
Other ways to say: Thinking of, on my mind
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in cards, letters, and talks to show care.
Usage: Used when someone is remembered fondly.
29. Can’t help but miss
Meaning: Missing someone no matter what.
Example Sentence:
• I can’t help but miss you every day.
• He can’t help but miss his teammates.
Other ways to say: Always miss, still miss
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows that missing someone is a strong, natural feeling.
Usage: Used when feelings of missing someone are automatic.
30. Hard to say goodbye
Meaning: Feeling sad when someone leaves.
Example Sentence:
• It was hard to say goodbye to my cousin.
• Saying goodbye to my camp friends was hard.
Other ways to say: Tough to leave, don’t want to part
Fun Fact/Origin: Used to express how parting with loved ones is difficult.
Usage: Used when a farewell feels emotional.
31. On my mind
Meaning: Thinking of someone often.
Example Sentence:
• You’ve been on my mind all week.
• My best friend is always on my mind.
Other ways to say: Thinking of, in my thoughts
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in music and writing to show affection.
Usage: Used when someone can’t stop thinking of someone else.
32. Feel the distance
Meaning: Feeling the emotional or physical space between people.
Example Sentence:
• I really feel the distance when you’re away.
• She feels the distance when her brother’s at college.
Other ways to say: Notice the space, far away
Fun Fact/Origin: Talks about how being apart affects emotions.
Usage: Used when someone is far and that gap is felt deeply.
33. Miss your face
Meaning: A fun or sweet way to say you miss someone.
Example Sentence:
• I miss your face, come visit soon!
• Can’t wait to see your face again.
Other ways to say: Miss you, want to see you
Fun Fact/Origin: Often said between close friends or family.
Usage: Used to express affection and missing in a playful way.
34. Took a piece of my heart
Meaning: Someone is so loved that they still hold your heart when gone.
Example Sentence:
• You took a piece of my heart when you left.
• My dog took a piece of my heart when he passed.
Other ways to say: Still love, left a part with me
Fun Fact/Origin: This shows how love and memories stay even after goodbye.
Usage: Used when someone deeply loved is gone but not forgotten.
35. Miles apart but close at heart
Meaning: Even when far away, you still feel close to someone.
Example Sentence:
• We’re miles apart but close at heart.
• I tell my grandma we’re always close at heart.
Other ways to say: Far but near, close in spirit
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in cards and letters for long-distance family or friends.
Usage: Used when distance doesn’t lessen love or friendship.
Quiz: Idioms About Missing Someone
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 “out of sight, out of mind” mean?
A) People are always remembered
B) You forget someone when they are not around
C) You see someone often
2. If someone says “my heart skips a beat,” what do they mean?
A) They are angry
B) They are surprised or feeling strong emotion
C) They are tired
3. What does “long for someone” mean?
A) To forget someone
B) To want to play
C) To miss someone deeply
4. What does it mean to be “pining for someone”?
A) Feeling excited to eat
B) Feeling sad because you miss someone
C) Feeling tired
5. If someone says “a hole in my heart,” how do they feel?
A) Very happy
B) Full of energy
C) Very sad because someone is missing
6. “Wish you were here” is often said when:
A) You are with someone
B) You are angry
C) You miss someone who is far away
7. “Can’t get someone off my mind” means:
A) You are trying to forget a song
B) You are always thinking about someone
C) You are bored
8. What does “gone but not forgotten” mean?
A) You forgot someone
B) You remember someone even though they are gone
C) You don’t miss anyone
9. “Feel blue” is another way to say:
A) Feel cold
B) Feel tired
C) Feel sad
10. If someone “carries a torch” for another person, they are:
A) Still loving or missing that person
B) Starting a fire
C) Playing a game
11. “My mind drifts to you” means:
A) I think of someone sometimes
B) I am falling asleep
C) I am trying to forget you
12. “Count the days” means:
A) Wasting time
B) Waiting excitedly to see someone
C) Doing homework
13. What does “miles apart but close at heart” mean?
A) You live near someone
B) You don’t like someone
C) You feel close to someone even if they’re far away
Answer Key
- B — You forget someone when they are not around
- B — They are surprised or feeling strong emotion
- C — To miss someone deeply
- B — Feeling sad because you miss someone
- C — Very sad because someone is missing
- C — You miss someone who is far away
- B — You are always thinking about someone
- B — You remember someone even though they are gone
- C — Feel sad
- A — Still loving or missing that person
- A — I think of someone sometimes
- B — Waiting excitedly to see someone
- C — You feel close to someone even if they’re far away
Wrapping Up
Missing someone can be hard. It can make us feel sad, quiet, or even lonely. Idioms help us talk about those feelings in a special way. They can make it easier to share what’s in our hearts. From “wish you were here” to “heart skips a beat,” these phrases show just how much we care about others.
Now that you know these idioms, you can use them when you miss a friend or family member. It’s a nice way to say how you feel. And remember, even if someone is far away, they can still be close in your heart.
