Breakups happen — there's no getting around that. You're going to break up with every single person you're with until you find the one you'll marry (but even that might not work out the first time).
Niels Eek, psychologist and cofounder at mental wellbeing app, Remente, told INSIDER breakups leave us feeling emotionally drained and confused, and talking about something so personal can make us feel awkward.
"This is why, when we don't know how to express our feelings, we sometimes start to look for common phrases and examples to help us explain," he said.
"It is important to remember that each breakup will be different, so it is best to speak from the heart."
Because breakups are an inevitable part of life, it makes sense that some ways of going about a breakup have been passed down through time. Clichés like "things changed," or "I cut them loose," are used time and time again.
And different countries have their own versions of breakup dialogue.
"Many of the breakup idioms have a historical background — back from the days when you wouldn't break up a relationship you've had for a while, like we do now, but rather turned down a marriage proposal," Elin Asklöv, from Babbel's Didactics team, told INSIDER.
Breakup lines may vary between languages, she said, but certain themes like leaving behind, or sending away, are quite universal.
"Perhaps we like think of ourselves as moving and if something doesn't fit us any more, it can't move along with us,"Asklöv said.
Here are some of the different phrases people use to explain they broke up with someone in seven different countries:
French: Leaving someone behind
The phrase is "Larguer querlqu'un" in French.
According to the experts at Babbel, French people use the verb "larguer" for when sailors undo the ropes that attach the boat to the port, or that hold the sail folded, so that they can sail away — conveying the image of breaking free.
American: Kicking someone to the curb
Italian: Giving someone the two of spades
The Italian phrase is "Dare il due di picche a qualcuno," which translates as "To give someone the two of spades."
To the Italians, the two of spades in a deck of cards holds the least value. So if you're giving it to someone, you're effectively not giving them the time of day and rejecting their romantic advances.
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