English Explanatory Dictionary

head over heels

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adv
  1. Tumbling upside down; somersaulting.
  2. At top speed; frantically.
  3. Hopelessly; madly; to distraction; deeply; utterly.
adj
  1. Hopelessly smitten; madly in love.

Pronunciation

hĕd ō'vər hēlz /ˌhɛd oʊ.vɚ ˈhilz/ /ˌhɛd oʊ.vɚ ˈhi.əlz/ /ˌhɛd əʊ.və ˈhiːlz/ en-au-head over heels.ogg

Word forms

head over heels

Etymology

Attested from the 14ᵗʰ century onwards, originally as heels over head, which better rendered the notion of things being upside down (head over heels is the standard state of being).

Synonyms

arse over tit ass over teakettle base over apex full tilt full throttle like mad head over ears

Derived words

headless over heels
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