love-hate relationship

love-hate relationship

A relationship or connection with someone or something that is characterized by both very positive and very negative feelings. I've got a bit of a love-hate relationship with this car—I absolutely adore the way it looks and handles on the road, but it has given me nothing but grief with how many times it has broken down. Tom and I have something of a love-hate relationship. When we get along, we're the best pals in the world, but other times we just drive each other crazy.
See also: relationship
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

love-hate relationship

Fig. a relationship of any kind that involves both devotion and hatred. Tommy has a love-hate relationship with his teacher. Mostly, though, it's hate lately.
See also: relationship
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • relationship
  • clinging vine
  • impostor syndrome
  • depression
  • fall into depression
  • sink into depression
  • muck-raking
  • mug shot
  • toxic
  • toxic masculinity
References in periodicals archive
Two thoughtful approaches to a classic love-hate relationship
Hiding the TV
Today, 78 percent of American households buy their television, mostly through cable companies (with whom they have a love-hate relationship).
I want my satellite TV; the government's television grab
Art historians often have a complex love-hate relationship with the burial chapel that Georg, Ulrich, and Jakob Fugger constructed between 1509 and 1518 in the church of St.
Die Fuggerkapelle bei St. Anna in Augsburg
American culture became envied and exportable abroad especially because of jazz and the blues, and Douglas is masterful at analyzing whites' love-hate relationship with black culture, and at delineating the ways whites censored blacks and discriminated against them while also avidly embracing their music, their dances, and aspects of their language.
Terrible Honesty: Mongrel Manhattan in the 1920s
Jake Zyrus has opened up about his love-hate relationship with his mother following the release of his book 'I am Jake.'
Jake Zyrus talks about complicated relationship with mother
The former band mates, who have had a love-hate relationship since their Beatles heyday, greeted each other warmly and were joined by their respective wives Nancy Shevell and Barbara Bach for the meal, the Daily Express reported.
Beatles 'reunite' for dinner date with wives
* Urban Outifitters's love-hate relationship with Israel.
Sundown: Do You Make More Than Bibi?
Monte Carlo or Bust, Thursday, ITV1, 9pm WE'VE long had a love-hate relationship with the French.
COMING UP
While much has been written of James and his love-hate relationship with journalism and the American press, apparently little or nothing has been written of the conflicted relationship during his return.
Inexorable Yankeehood; Henry James rediscovers America, 1904-1905
Frank is like Peter Pan - he doesn't want to grow up." She added: "He and Elen had a love-hate relationship where they were constantly fighting and then getting back together.
HE NEVER WANTED TO WED
We had a sort of love-hate relationship but I have nothing but respect for him."
Bullen aims to put the boot into Caldo
JUSTINE HENIN confessed to her love-hate relationship with New York after regaining the US Open title.
Henin joy at "crazy city" success
It offers an insight into her love-hate relationship with the media, focusing on her erratic behaviour these past few months.
Tonight's TV
This is a vibrant, updated, 1999 version of the old hit telling of the love-hate relationship between Annie and marksman Frank Butler, and Helen is in great voice to help make it glorious family entertainment.
Annie hits target
If you choose to double up with E4's sneak preview immediately afterwards, you'll learn about Boone's love-hate relationship with sister Shannon, and another of Locke's sinister secrets.
The Week: ISLAND OF REVELATIONS