Head Over Heels – American English Idiom One Point Lesson

Feb 11, 2020
English Vocabulary Lessons

Welcome to NJCLT's one-point lesson on the popular American English idiom 'Head Over Heels'! In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the meaning, origin, and usage of this intriguing phrase. So, let's dive in!

What does 'Head Over Heels' mean?

'Head Over Heels' is an idiomatic expression used to describe a strong and intense feeling of falling deeply in love or infatuation. When someone is head over heels, they are completely immersed and overwhelmed by their emotions for someone or something.

Origin of the Idiom

Interestingly, the phrase 'Head Over Heels' has a rather peculiar origin. It is actually a modified version of the older phrase 'Heels Over Head,' which makes more logical sense. The inversion of the phrase occurred in the 14th century, primarily due to poetic and rhythmic purposes.

The original phrase 'Heels Over Head' simply meant to somersault or perform a flip, referring to physical movement. However, over time, the phrase evolved and adapted to indicate a figurative and metaphorical sense of being deeply in love, where one's emotions are in disarray, much like performing an acrobatic flip.

Usage and Examples

'Head Over Heels' is widely used in spoken and written English, particularly in contexts related to romance and love. Let's explore a few examples:

  • After their first date, John fell head over heels for Sarah.
  • Mary couldn't believe her luck when she realized her childhood crush was head over heels in love with her.
  • The new restaurant's delicious food left Jane head over heels with delight.

Tips to Remember

Now that you understand the meaning and usage of 'Head Over Heels,' here are some tips to help you remember its concept:

  1. Visualize yourself performing an acrobatic flip: This will help you associate the phrase with the sense of being completely immersed in emotions.
  2. Create keyword-rich flashcards: Write the idiom on one side and its definition on the other side. Review them regularly.
  3. Practice using the idiom in sentences: This will solidify your understanding and make it easier to recall the phrase in conversations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Head Over Heels' is a captivating American English idiom that embodies the feeling of falling deeply in love or infatuation. We hope this one-point lesson has provided you with a comprehensive understanding of its meaning, origin, and usage. Now you can confidently incorporate this idiom into your everyday English conversations!

At NJCLT, we strive to help learners like you enhance their English language skills. Stay tuned for more insightful lessons and resources. Happy learning!

Mary McGhee
Learning about idiomatic expressions is always enjoyable, and this guide was particularly enlightening. Thank you for the insight!
Oct 12, 2023
Jiri Stary
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be challenging, but this guide was incredibly helpful. Thank you for the clarity!
Oct 9, 2023
Olaf Schneider
I was always curious about the background of popular idioms. Thanks for the interesting read!
Sep 2, 2023
Mary Vaughan
Thank you for providing such a thorough explanation of the idiom 'Head Over Heels'. It was very enlightening.
Aug 22, 2023
Lawrence Bostwick
The examples provided really elucidated the meaning of 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for the clarity!
Aug 22, 2023
Michael Parker
The history and origins of idiomatic expressions are always intriguing. Thank you for sharing the background of 'Head Over Heels'!
Aug 1, 2023
Djamel Mihoubi
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be tricky, but this guide made 'Head Over Heels' much clearer. Thank you for the clarity!
Jul 28, 2023
PACE Organization of Rhode Island
The examples provided made the meaning of 'Head Over Heels' crystal clear. Thank you for the elucidation!
Jun 5, 2023
David Palos
The idiomatic expressions in English are so fascinating. Thanks for shining light on the intricacies of 'Head Over Heels'!
Mar 21, 2023
Chanelle Patrick
I've heard this idiom used countless times, but I never fully grasped its meaning until now. Thank you for the explanation!
Mar 15, 2023
Jimmy Riker
The history and origins of idiomatic expressions are always fascinating. Thank you for sharing the background of 'Head Over Heels'!
Feb 17, 2023
Susan Spagnola
The examples provided really brought the meaning of 'Head Over Heels' to life. Thank you for the clarity!
Feb 16, 2023
Jon Miller
I'm always intrigued by the richness of the English language. Thanks for highlighting one of its colorful idioms!
Feb 14, 2023
Bosco Chao
The rich history behind idiomatic expressions always captivates me. Thank you for including the origin of 'Head Over Heels' in the guide.
Jan 28, 2023
Wade Beavers
I've always found idiomatic expressions in English to be intriguing. Thank you for deepening my understanding with this guide!
Dec 29, 2022
Brandon Harward
The usage examples provided were really helpful in understanding the nuances of 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for the detailed explanation!
Dec 18, 2022
Dean Brazenall
Learning about idioms is always interesting, and this guide was no exception. Thank you for the enlightening read!
Nov 20, 2022
Eric Headley
I've heard this idiom used so often, but I never fully understood its meaning until now. Thank you for the explanation!
Oct 18, 2022
Brian Madill
The clear and concise explanation provided much-needed clarity on the idiom 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for this informative lesson!
Sep 22, 2022
Nicole Brooks
The idiomatic expressions in English are often bewildering, but this guide did a great job of demystifying 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you!
Sep 16, 2022
Earley
The history and origins of idiomatic expressions have always captivated me. Thank you for including the background of 'Head Over Heels' in the guide.
Jul 27, 2022
Andre Pretorius
The examples provided in the guide really drive home the meaning of 'Head Over Heels'. Well done!
Jul 7, 2022
Joey Massoni
I've always found idiomatic expressions in English to be fascinating. Thank you for broadening my knowledge with this guide!
Jun 20, 2022
Patti Fielding
Learning about idiomatic expressions is always fun, and this guide made 'Head Over Heels' even more intriguing. Thanks!
Jun 19, 2022
Ron Hill
Thank you for this informative guide on the idiomatic expression 'Head Over Heels'! I found it very helpful.
Jun 14, 2022
Stephane Mennesson
The history behind idiomatic expressions is always intriguing. Thanks for sharing the origin of 'Head Over Heels'!
Jun 10, 2022
Rose Chernick
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be challenging for non-native speakers, so this lesson is a valuable resource. Kudos!
May 26, 2022
Booker Lister
Learning about idiomatic expressions is always a pleasure, especially with such informative guides. Thank you for this valuable resource!
May 13, 2022
Robby Kilgore
The history of idiomatic expressions is always fascinating. Thanks for including the origin of 'Head Over Heels' in the guide.
Mar 21, 2022
Xin Gao
I've always been fascinated by the richness of idiomatic expressions in English. Thank you for adding to my understanding!
Mar 17, 2022
Jesse Kohl
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be daunting, but this lesson really made 'Head Over Heels' clearer to me. Thank you!
Jan 21, 2022
Kinnoo Romain
The usage examples provided here truly elucidate the meaning of 'Head Over Heels'. Thanks for the detailed explanation!
Jan 17, 2022
Peter Karpinski
I've always been curious about the origin of this idiom. Thanks for shedding light on it!
Nov 26, 2021
John Griner
The idiomatic expressions in English can be quite puzzling, but this guide made 'Head Over Heels' much clearer to me. Thanks!
Nov 14, 2021
Daniel Fitzpatrick
Idioms are a unique aspect of language, and this guide added to my understanding. Much appreciated!
Oct 28, 2021
Arthur Zaretsky
The examples really brought the meaning of 'Head Over Heels' to life. Thanks for the clarity!
Oct 13, 2021
Susanna Hernandez
I've always been intrigued by idiomatic expressions, and this guide was a great addition to my understanding. Thank you for the enlightenment!
Oct 13, 2021
Keaton Matheson
The world of idiomatic expressions is truly fascinating, and this guide provided valuable insights. Thank you for this resource!
Aug 26, 2021
Anthony Eng
I've gained a deeper understanding of the idiom 'Head Over Heels' thanks to this insightful guide. Thank you for the elucidation!
Aug 12, 2021
Add Email
Kudos to the NJCLT team for putting together this valuable resource on American English idioms. Keep up the good work!
Jul 8, 2021
Andrew Recco
I always enjoy learning about idiomatic expressions, and this guide was no exception. Thanks for the insight!
Jun 22, 2021
Fritz Flower
The explanation was so clear and easy to comprehend. Thank you for this insightful lesson!
Jun 20, 2021
Alonso Arteaga
The usage examples were instrumental in understanding 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for the detailed explanation!
Jun 16, 2021
Kimmolita Evans
Thanks for the clear and concise breakdown of this idiom. It's a valuable addition to my knowledge of English expressions.
Jun 11, 2021
Joshua Ross
I've gained a deeper appreciation of the idiom 'Head Over Heels' thanks to this insightful lesson. Thank you for the elucidation!
May 31, 2021
Bill Countess
I never fully grasped the meaning of 'Head Over Heels' until now. Thanks for clarifying!
Apr 7, 2021
Stephanie Nester
Thanks for the detailed breakdown of 'Head Over Heels'. It's a great addition to my understanding of English idiomatic expressions.
Mar 26, 2021
Matt Mayfield
I appreciate the clear and concise explanation of 'Head Over Heels'. It's a great addition to my English language knowledge!
Mar 13, 2021
Alannah McFadzean
Learning about idiomatic expressions is always enjoyable, and this guide was particularly enlightening. Thank you for the insight!
Nov 6, 2020
Unknown
Thanks for the succinct and comprehensive lesson on the idiomatic expression 'Head Over Heels'! It provided a lot of clarity.
Oct 17, 2020
Shelly Cabioc
This one-point lesson was succinct yet comprehensive. I appreciate the effort put into it!
Oct 17, 2020
David Hennigan
Thanks for the comprehensive breakdown of 'Head Over Heels'. It's a valuable addition to my understanding of English idiomatic expressions.
Oct 1, 2020
Tracy Aldhouse
I've encountered this phrase many times but never really understood its full meaning until now. Thanks for the elucidation!
Aug 29, 2020
test Opp
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be challenging, but this guide was very helpful. Thank you for the clarity!
Aug 26, 2020
Dalton Berg
Oh, I've heard this idiom so many times, but the meaning was never quite clear to me. Thanks for the explanation!
Aug 19, 2020
Donald Hurford
I've come across 'Head Over Heels' many times, but this guide really solidified my understanding of the idiom. Thank you!
Aug 4, 2020
Mick Proudfoot
Understanding idiomatic expressions can be tricky, but this guide made 'Head Over Heels' much clearer. Thank you for the clarity!
Jun 18, 2020
Mary Reede
The guide provided a well-rounded understanding of 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for the elucidation!
Jun 16, 2020
Sam
The guide provided a well-rounded understanding of 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for the elucidation!
Apr 14, 2020
Mike Orgler
I've always been intrigued by idiomatic expressions, and this guide was a valuable addition to my understanding. Thank you for the enlightenment!
Apr 6, 2020
Craig Kartchner
I've encountered 'Head Over Heels' before, but this guide truly deepened my understanding of the phrase. Thank you!
Apr 4, 2020
Brian Plotkin
The breakdown of the phrase 'Head Over Heels' really made it easier to understand. Thanks for the elucidation!
Mar 20, 2020
Otto Karl
The clear and concise explanation provided much-needed clarity on the idiom 'Head Over Heels'. Thank you for this informative lesson!
Mar 8, 2020
More posts