- To be completely, utterly, and often uncontrollably in love or infatuated with someone.
- Can also mean falling physically in a tumbling way, but the in love meaning is far more common idiomatically.
Explanation
Origin
- Originally, the phrase was heels over head, dating back to the 14th century, meaning literally tumbling or upside down.
- Somewhere around the late 18th or 19th century, the order flipped to head over heels.
- Why it flipped is unclear, but the new order perhaps felt more intuitively like the disorienting, world-turned-upside-down feeling of falling deeply in love.
- It evokes an image of losing one's balance or rational footing due to strong emotion.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Down bad (Modern slang, often implies intense, sometimes embarrassing, infatuation)
- Whipped (Slang, implies someone is so in love they do anything their partner wants often used humorously or slightly negatively)
- Simping for someone (Modern internet slang, often negative, implies excessive attentiveness/subservience due to infatuation)
- Totally sprung (Falling hard and fast for someone)
Milder:
- Very fond of someone
- Deeply attached to someone
- Has strong feelings for someone
More Intense/Poetic:
- Consumed by love
- Utterly captivated
Situational Appropriateness
- Generally informal to neutral.
- Common in personal conversations about relationships and feelings.
- Might sound a bit cliché or overly enthusiastic in a very formal context.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Learners might initially think of the literal meaning (falling physically).
- Clarify that it's almost always used metaphorically for intense love or infatuation.
Examples
- He met her last month and is already head over heels.
- They fell head over heels for each other on their first date.
- She's head over heels in love with her new puppy. (Can be used for strong affection, not just romantic love)
Dialogue
Maria: Have you seen Tom lately? He seems so happy.
David: Oh yeah, he met someone new. He's completely head over heels.
Maria: Really? That's fantastic! Who is she?
David: Her name's Emily. Apparently, they have tons in common. He can't stop talking about her.
Social Media Examples
- Post: Two years with this one! Still head over heels. ❤️ #anniversary #love #couplegoals
- Tweet: Okay, I just watched that movie and I'm officially head over heels for the main actor. 😍 #celebritycrush #movie
- Profile Bio Snippet: Dog mom, coffee enthusiast, head over heels for my fiancé.
Response Patterns
- Aw, that's sweet!
- Wow, already? (If it happened quickly)
- They make a great couple.
- Love is in the air!
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After hearing someone is head over heels:
- Tell me more about them!
- How did they meet?
- That's wonderful! Are things serious?
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Usually used to describe someone's (often someone else's) emotional state, not to initiate a conversation out of the blue.
Intonation
- Often spoken with warmth, enthusiasm, or sometimes a touch of amusement.
- Stress often on head, heels, and love if included.
- He is HEAD over HEELS for her.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations. Newer slang alternatives (down bad, simping) are specific to younger generations (Gen Z, Millennials).
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.