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Those Three Little Words

Idiom: those three little words; used as a
noun


First Example:
Rachel: How was your weekend?
Charlene: Fantastic! Tom took me to a really
amazing restaurant, and then we went for a walk on the beach.
Rachel: Aww! That sounds so sweet!
Charlene: And then the best part – he
finally said those three little words I’ve been waiting for.

Rachel: Wow! So you guys are really
getting serious! 
Charlene: I think so.

Meaning: The expression “those
three little words
” refers to the phrase “I love you.”  Since “I love you” is considered
such a strong and powerful thing to say, we often use the phrase “those
three little words” to refer to the phrase in conversation.  Usually, this is used when at least one
person in a couple hasn’t said it to the other, but it can also be used for the
first time one partner says “I love you” to the other, as in the
above example.  In this example, Charlene
is excited because Tom finally told her that he loved her.  

Here is another example:

Dale: How are things going in your new
relationship?
Colby: Pretty well.  I can’t believe we met online.
Dale: How long have you guys been going
out?
Colby: A little over a month.

Dale: Wow! If you don’t watch out,
someone’s gonna slip up and say those
three little words
!
Colby: It wouldn’t surprise me. I’m
actually really happy
Dale: Glad to hear it.  You two seem like a really great match.

In this instance, Colby says that
his new relationship is going really well, and Dale jokingly warns that someone
is going to slip up (which means “make a mistake”) and say “I
love you” to the other.  This
expression is often used in contexts such as this, when a relationship is
getting serious but no one has said “I love you” to the other person
yet.

Note: this idiom is related to
LSI’s upcoming Valentine’s Day party.  For more information, contact the
Marketing Department or ask the front desk at your school.

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