Imagine feeling butterflies in your stomach as you spend time with that special someone. That feeling of endless wonder and emotion is what many consider to be falling in love. This phrase can mean different things to different people, but the main theme remains the same. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
When someone says they are falling in love, it means that they have formed a close, or deep attachment. This attachment can be emotional or physical depending on the circumstances. A person who is said to have strong romantic feelings for another person is considered in love. The actual process of developing these feelings is “falling in love”. The phrase can be used both literally and figuratively, depending on the situation.
It is common to hear people say they are “falling in love” with a season, a TV show, an idea, or even a pet. The proper way to phrase falling in love will always refer to another person as opposed to a place or other inanimate object. The main reason people fall in love is due to being captivated or touched emotionally by a person or action.
Example Usage
“When I first saw you I was already falling in love with your personality, your mind manually followed”.
“I saw my sister this weekend, she was gushing about how she was falling in love with her boss, even though he never spoke with her”.
“Some people say that falling in love is one of the most intoxicating feelings in the world”
“I really don’t think I am destined to be one of those people falling in love under a moonlit sky”
Origin
The phrase falling in love has been around since the 1500s, however, the exact source of the phrase is unknown. The word fall, or to fall was used to convey when something occurs suddenly or unexpectedly. Falling behind, or falling asleep are also phrases that are used in a similar way. To say that you are falling in love, or have fallen in love means that it happened unexpectedly and without planning.
One of the earliest times the phrase falling in love was seen in print was in a poem by Edmund Spenser. The Faerie Queen, which is the name of the poem, was first published in the late 1500s. The poem covered the queen and the feeling that was created (falling in love) when looking at her. Both French and Spanish cultures use the word fall in conjunction with other words to express something unexpected.
More information can be found in the video (here).
Phrases Similar to Falling in Love
- Growing affection
- Deep desire
- Head over heels
- Become smitten
- Long for
- Crushing/having a crush
- Adore
- Lose your head
Phrases Opposite to Falling in Love
- Fall out of love
- Grow apart
- Need distance
- Fall out of love
- Become disenchanted
- Turned off
- Repulsed
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper saying is – falling in love.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Falling in Love
Some ways that Falling in Love is used incorrectly are:
- If you keep pushing, she might night fall in love like you think she will.
- There is something intrinsically terrible about falling in love with another person.
- I think I am falling in love, after all, I can’t stand to be around him.
- Nothing is worse than falling in love with your partner when that is your end goal.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Falling in Love
Some ways that falling in love is used correctly are:
- I feel like I am falling in love with Jimmy too quickly.
- You know, one of the best feelings in the world is falling in love with your partner at the beginning.
- My mom always said that falling in love is easy, but staying in love is hard.
- Are you really sure that you are falling in love or are you just physically attracted to her?