have a crush on

Meaning

To 'have a crush on' someone means to have a strong, temporary romantic attraction to them, often one that is secret, unexpressed, or unrequited. It is very common among teenagers and young adults, but adults use it casually as well. It describes the initial stage of liking someone before a formal relationship begins.

Examples

• I used to have a huge crush on my chemistry teacher when I was in high school.

  I used to have a huge crush on my chemistry teacher when I was in high school.

• She has a crush on her coworker, but she's too shy to ask him out.

  She has a crush on her coworker, but she's too shy to ask him out.

• Do you still have a crush on that guy from the gym?

  Do you still have a crush on that guy from the gym?

• It was obvious that he had a crush on her because he kept blushing whenever she spoke.

  It was obvious that he had a crush on her because he kept blushing whenever she spoke.

• I think half the class has a crush on the new exchange student.

  I think half the class has a crush on the new exchange student.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ She has a crush with her classmate.

  ✓ She has a crush on her classmate.

  The correct preposition to use with 'crush' in this context is always 'on', not 'with' or 'for'.

• ✗ I am having a crush on him.

  ✓ I have a crush on him.

  'Have a crush' is a stative expression describing a state of attraction, so it is rarely used in the continuous (-ing) form.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I've had a ___ my neighbor for months, but I don't know how to start a conversation.

  💡 A strong, often secret romantic attraction to someone.

  Show answer

  crush on

• Does she ___ him, or are they just really good friends?

  💡 To feel romantically attracted to someone.

  Show answer

  have a crush on