love-hate relationship

Meaning

This term describes a relationship characterized by a constant shift between strong feelings of love and affection, and feelings of anger, resentment, or dislike. It can apply to romantic partners, family members, friends, or even inanimate objects and situations like a job, a city, or technology.

Examples

• I have a love-hate relationship with my smartphone; it's incredibly useful but so distracting.

  I have a love-hate relationship with my smartphone; it's incredibly useful but so distracting.

• They have a classic love-hate relationship, constantly breaking up and getting back together.

  They have a classic love-hate relationship, constantly breaking up and getting back together.

• She has a love-hate relationship with her job because the pay is great but the hours are brutal.

  She has a love-hate relationship with her job because the pay is great but the hours are brutal.

• My brother and I had a love-hate relationship growing up, but we're close now.

  My brother and I had a love-hate relationship growing up, but we're close now.

• It's a love-hate relationship with running; I hate the actual exercise but love how I feel afterward.

  It's a love-hate relationship with running; I hate the actual exercise but love how I feel afterward.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I have a love and hate relationship with social media.

  ✓ I have a love-hate relationship with social media.

  The phrase is a fixed compound adjective and should not use the conjunction 'and' between 'love' and 'hate'.

• ✗ We are in a love-hate relation.

  ✓ We have a love-hate relationship.

  Use the full noun 'relationship' rather than 'relation' when describing this personal dynamic.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I have a __________ with coffee; it gives me energy but makes me anxious.

  💡 A compound phrase showing simultaneous positive and negative feelings.

  Show answer

  love-hate relationship

• Many residents have a __________ with the subway system because of its delays and convenience.

  💡 They love the convenience but hate the delays.

  Show answer

  love-hate relationship