Getting married is one of life’s most joyful milestones, and language has a way of capturing that excitement, commitment, and love with colorful idioms. Whether you’re tying the knot, walking down the aisle, or popping the question, these expressions bring a touch of charm to the journey of marriage.
In this post, we’re diving into 32 unique idioms related to getting married, each with its meaning, an example sentence, and alternative ways to say it. From heartfelt to humorous, these phrases reflect the universal celebration of love. Plus, stick around for an interactive quiz at the end to test your knowledge!
Why Idioms for Marriage Matter
Idioms are like little love letters from language, they pack big emotions into small phrases. They help us express the thrill, nerves, and joy of marriage in ways that feel relatable and human. Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or just curious about how we talk about love, these idioms will give you a fresh perspective on the big day. Let’s explore them one by one, with a warm and friendly tone to make you feel right at home.
32 Idioms for Getting Married
1. Tie the Knot
Meaning: To get married or enter into a marriage commitment.
Example: After years of dating, Sarah and Tom decided to tie the knot in a beautiful beach ceremony.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Get hitched, seal the deal, take the plunge.
2. Walk Down the Aisle
Meaning: To participate in a wedding ceremony, often referring to the bride’s procession.
Example: She dreamed of walking down the aisle in a flowing white gown.
Alternative Ways to Say It: March to the altar, take the wedding walk, proceed to the vows.
3. Pop the Question
Meaning: To propose marriage, usually by asking someone to marry you.
Example: He popped the question during a romantic sunset picnic.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Propose, ask for their hand, get down on one knee.
4. Get Hitched
Meaning: To get married, often implying a casual or quick ceremony.
Example: They got hitched in Vegas on a whim and never looked back.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tie the knot, wed, say “I do.”
5. Take the Plunge
Meaning: To commit to marriage, often with a sense of boldness or risk.
Example: Nervous but excited, they took the plunge and planned a winter wedding.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Jump in, make the leap, dive into marriage.
6. Say “I Do”
Meaning: To formally agree to marry during the wedding vows.
Example: When the officiant asked, she smiled and said “I do” without hesitation.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Exchange vows, pledge love, seal the vows.
7. Put a Ring on It
Meaning: To propose or commit to marriage, often emphasizing the engagement ring.
Example: He finally put a ring on it after three years of dating!
Alternative Ways to Say It: Propose with a ring, get engaged, offer a band.
8. Settle Down
Meaning: To start a stable, committed life with a partner, often through marriage.
Example: After years of traveling, he was ready to settle down with his partner.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Put down roots, start a family, build a life together.
9. Make an Honest Man/Woman
Meaning: To marry someone, often implying a playful sense of legitimizing the relationship.
Example: She teased him, saying she’d make an honest man out of him at the altar.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tie the knot, wed honorably, legitimize the bond.
10. Get Engaged
Meaning: To formally agree to marry, often marked by a proposal.
Example: They got engaged under the stars on their anniversary.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Betroth, promise to wed, plight one’s troth.
11. Seal the Deal
Meaning: To finalize the commitment to marriage, often with a lighthearted tone.
Example: With a kiss at the altar, they sealed the deal in front of family.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Close the chapter, make it official, tie the knot.
12. Jump the Broom
Meaning: A cultural idiom for getting married, rooted in African-American wedding traditions.
Example: They jumped the broom to honor their heritage during the ceremony.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Wed traditionally, unite in marriage, cross the threshold.
13. Take the Vows
Meaning: To make formal promises during a wedding ceremony.
Example: They took the vows in a small chapel surrounded by loved ones.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Pledge love, swear oaths, exchange promises.
14. Hitch Up
Meaning: To get married, often with a casual or rustic connotation.
Example: They hitched up in a cozy barn wedding last summer.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Get wed, tie the knot, couple up.
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15. Bind the Knot
Meaning: A variation of “tie the knot,” emphasizing the lasting bond of marriage.
Example: They bound the knot with heartfelt vows they wrote themselves.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Unite in marriage, forge a bond, tie the knot.
16. Give One’s Hand
Meaning: To offer oneself in marriage, often with a traditional or romantic tone.
Example: She gave her hand to her high school sweetheart in a tearful ceremony.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Offer one’s heart, pledge to wed, propose marriage.
17. Start a New Chapter
Meaning: To begin a married life, symbolizing a fresh start together.
Example: Their wedding marked the start of a new chapter in their love story.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Begin a new life, turn the page, embark on marriage.
18. Unite in Matrimony
Meaning: To formally join as spouses through marriage.
Example: They united in matrimony under a canopy of flowers.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Wed, join in marriage, become one.
19. Make It Official
Meaning: To formalize a relationship through marriage.
Example: After years together, they made it official with a courthouse wedding.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Seal the bond, sign the papers, tie the knot.
20. Plight One’s Troth
Meaning: To pledge loyalty and commitment in marriage, often with an old-fashioned tone.
Example: He plighted his troth with a ring passed down from his grandmother.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Swear fidelity, pledge love, vow commitment.
21. Hook Up for Life
Meaning: To commit to a lifelong partnership through marriage, often playfully said.
Example: They hooked up for life in a vibrant festival-style wedding.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Tie the knot, partner forever, wed for good.
22. Forge a Union
Meaning: To create a strong, lasting marital bond.
Example: They forged a union with vows that moved everyone to tears.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Build a bond, unite as one, join in marriage.
23. Cross the Threshold
Meaning: To enter into marriage, often symbolizing a new phase of life.
Example: She crossed the threshold into married life with joy in her heart.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Step into marriage, begin wedded life, take the leap.
24. Become One
Meaning: To unite as a couple through marriage, emphasizing unity.
Example: They became one in a ceremony filled with love and laughter.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Unite in love, join as one, merge lives.
25. Say Yes to the Dress
Meaning: To choose a wedding dress, often tied to the excitement of wedding planning.
Example: She said yes to the dress after trying on dozens at the boutique.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Pick the gown, choose the bridal look, select the dress.
26. Join Hands
Meaning: To marry, symbolizing the physical and emotional union of partners.
Example: They joined hands in a sunset ceremony on the cliffs.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Link arms, unite in marriage, clasp hands.
27. Take the Leap
Meaning: To boldly commit to marriage, similar to “take the plunge.”
Example: Nervous but thrilled, they took the leap and got married.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Jump in, dive into marriage, make the commitment.
28. Lock It In
Meaning: To solidify a marriage commitment, often with a playful tone.
Example: With a ring and a vow, they locked it in for life.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Seal the deal, make it permanent, tie the knot.
29. Build a Life Together
Meaning: To start a shared life through marriage, focusing on the future.
Example: They built a life together starting with a simple courthouse wedding.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Create a future, start a journey, unite for life.
30. Exchange Rings
Meaning: To share rings as a symbol of marriage during the ceremony.
Example: They exchanged rings with smiles that lit up the room.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Swap bands, share rings, pledge with rings.
31. Step into Wedlock
Meaning: To enter into the state of marriage, often with a formal tone.
Example: They stepped into wedlock surrounded by their closest friends.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Enter marriage, join in matrimony, tie the knot.
32. Set Sail Together
Meaning: To embark on the journey of marriage, symbolizing adventure.
Example: They set sail together with a nautical-themed wedding by the sea.
Alternative Ways to Say It: Begin the journey, start the voyage, unite for life.
Why These Idioms Resonate
These idioms capture the many facets of marriage; romance, commitment, excitement, and even humor. They remind us that love is universal, but the ways we talk about it are wonderfully diverse. Whether you’re planning your own wedding or just love learning about language, these phrases add color to the conversation. Ready to test your knowledge? Try the interactive quiz below to see how well you know these marriage idioms!