love at first sight

Meaning

This expression describes the experience of falling in love with someone the very first moment you see them. It implies an instant, powerful romantic attraction. While often used in romantic movies, people also use it in everyday conversations to describe their own relationships, sometimes with a bit of skepticism or humor.

Examples

• I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met Sarah at the coffee shop.

  I didn't believe in love at first sight until I met Sarah at the coffee shop.

• They've been inseparable since college; for them, it really was love at first sight.

  They've been inseparable since college; for them, it really was love at first sight.

• Do you actually believe in love at first sight, or is it just a movie cliché?

  Do you actually believe in love at first sight, or is it just a movie cliché?

• It wasn't exactly love at first sight; we actually disliked each other when we first met.

  It wasn't exactly love at first sight; we actually disliked each other when we first met.

• He claims it was love at first sight, but she took a little longer to warm up to him.

  He claims it was love at first sight, but she took a little longer to warm up to him.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ It was love in the first sight.

  ✓ It was love at first sight.

  The correct preposition to use in this fixed idiom is 'at', not 'in'.

• ✗ I had a love at first sight with her.

  ✓ It was love at first sight when I met her.

  'Love at first sight' is usually used as a noun phrase with 'it is/was' or after 'believe in', rather than as an object you 'have' with someone.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Some people say it was _______ when they first locked eyes across the crowded room.

  💡 Instant romantic attraction upon meeting.

  Show answer

  love at first sight

• Do you believe in _______, or do you think love takes time to grow?

  💡 Falling in love immediately upon seeing someone.

  Show answer

  love at first sight