Sex is a natural part of life, and like most important human experiences, people have found many playful, creative, and sometimes humorous ways to talk about it. Idioms—those colorful phrases that don’t mean exactly what the words say—make English richer and more expressive.
When it comes to sex, idioms allow people to speak indirectly, often with humor, subtlety, or cultural flavor. Instead of saying things directly, these phrases soften the tone, add personality, or make conversations more entertaining.
Understanding idioms for sex is not only helpful in casual conversations but also in literature, movies, songs, and even comedy. They show cultural attitudes toward intimacy and how language can turn serious or private topics into lighthearted talk
By learning them, English learners can understand native speakers better and also join conversations with confidence.
Did You Know?
The English language has hundreds of euphemisms for sex, many of which date back centuries. Shakespeare himself used playful phrases like “make the beast with two backs” in Othello, showing that people have long used idioms to describe intimacy in witty and indirect ways.
Idioms Referring to the Act of Sex
Make Love
Meaning: To have sex, often with romantic feelings.
Example: “They spent the night together and made love for the first time.”
Alternative: Sleep together.
Note: Used more in romantic or poetic contexts.
Sleep Together
Meaning: To have sex.
Example: “Everyone knew they were dating after they started sleeping together.”
Alternative: Hook up.
Note: Very common and informal in daily speech.
Get It On
Meaning: To start having sex.
Example: “They dimmed the lights and got it on.”
Alternative: Do it.
Note: Casual and often used in music or movies.
Do It
Meaning: Simple way to say have sex.
Example: “They finally did it after months of dating.”
Alternative: Get busy.
Note: Casual, works in both spoken and informal writing.
Hook Up
Meaning: To have casual sex or a fling.
Example: “They hooked up after the party.”
Alternative: Sleep with.
Note: Modern and popular among younger people.
Knock Boots
Meaning: Slang for having sex.
Example: “The lyrics hinted that the couple was knocking boots.”
Alternative: Hit the sheets.
Note: Very informal, often found in pop culture.
Hit the Sheets
Meaning: To go to bed and have sex.
Example: “They were quick to hit the sheets after dinner.”
Alternative: Jump in the sack.
Note: Casual, playful tone.
Jump in the Sack
Meaning: To get into bed for sex.
Example: “They jumped in the sack after only a few dates.”
Alternative: Go to bed with.
Note: Informal, often humorous.
Roll in the Hay
Meaning: Having sex, often casually.
Example: “They had a quick roll in the hay during the summer.”
Alternative: Fool around.
Note: Light, playful; often used for casual affairs.
Fool Around
Meaning: To engage in sexual activity (not always full sex).
Example: “They were caught fooling around in the office.”
Alternative: Mess around.
Note: Informal, sometimes suggests a fling.
Idioms Describing Casual or Secret Encounters
One-Night Stand
Meaning: A single sexual encounter without commitment.
Example: “He admitted it was just a one-night stand.”
Alternative: Fling.
Note: Very common in modern English.
Friends With Benefits
Meaning: Friends who also have sex without romance.
Example: “They agreed to stay friends with benefits.”
Alternative: Casual relationship.
Note: Widely used, especially in pop culture.
Play Around
Meaning: To have multiple sexual partners casually.
Example: “He played around a lot before settling down.”
Alternative: Sleep around.
Note: Often carries a negative tone.
Sleep Around
Meaning: To have many sexual partners.
Example: “Rumors say she sleeps around.”
Alternative: Get around.
Note: Informal, sometimes judgmental.
Get Around
Meaning: Known for having many sexual partners.
Example: “He really gets around.”
Alternative: Play the field.
Note: Often used jokingly or critically.
Play the Field
Meaning: To date or have sex with many people before settling down.
Example: “She played the field in college.”
Alternative: Sow wild oats.
Note: Neutral, often used casually.
Sow Wild Oats
Meaning: To have many sexual adventures in youth.
Example: “He sowed his wild oats before marrying.”
Alternative: Play around.
Note: A bit old-fashioned but still understood.
Keep It On the Down Low
Meaning: To keep sexual encounters secret.
Example: “They’re keeping it on the down low.”
Alternative: Behind closed doors.
Note: Informal, modern slang.
Behind Closed Doors
Meaning: Referring to private sexual activity.
Example: “Nobody knows what goes on behind closed doors.”
Alternative: In private.
Note: Neutral, often polite.
Afternoon Delight
Meaning: Having sex during the day.
Example: “They enjoyed a little afternoon delight.”
Alternative: Daytime fun.
Note: Fun, playful expression.
Idioms With Humorous or Playful Tone
Make Whoopee
Meaning: Old-fashioned way to say have sex.
Example: “The newlyweds were off to make whoopee.”
Alternative: Get frisky.
Note: Humorous, often heard in jokes or songs.
Get Frisky
Meaning: Become playful and sexually excited.
Example: “He started getting frisky after the dance.”
Alternative: Get it on.
Note: Informal and playful.
Bump Uglies
Meaning: Crude way to describe sex.
Example: “They were caught bumping uglies.”
Alternative: Get busy.
Note: Very informal, humorous, not polite.
Netflix and Chill
Meaning: A modern idiom for hooking up.
Example: “They invited each other over to Netflix and chill.”
Alternative: Hang out (with benefits).
Note: Popular internet slang.
Hit It
Meaning: To have sex.
Example: “He bragged about hitting it last night.”
Alternative: Tap that.
Note: Informal, sometimes crude.
Tap That
Meaning: Slang for wanting to have sex with someone.
Example: “He said he’d tap that if he had the chance.”
Alternative: Hit it.
Note: Very informal and objectifying.
Score
Meaning: To successfully have sex with someone.
Example: “He scored at the party last night.”
Alternative: Get lucky.
Note: Often used among men in casual talk.
Get Lucky
Meaning: To succeed in having sex.
Example: “He got lucky after the concert.”
Alternative: Score.
Note: Informal, playful, often used jokingly.
Go All the Way
Meaning: To have full sexual intercourse.
Example: “They finally went all the way.”
Alternative: Seal the deal.
Note: Informal but not crude.
Seal the Deal
Meaning: To complete sex successfully.
Example: “They dated for months before sealing the deal.”
Alternative: Go all the way.
Note: Informal, figurative.
Idioms with Suggestive Imagery
Ride the Pony
Meaning: To have sex, often energetically.
Example: “The lyrics hinted at riding the pony all night.”
Alternative: Ride.
Note: Informal, linked to music and pop culture.
Rock the Boat
Meaning: To shake things up sexually.
Example: “They really rocked the boat last night.”
Alternative: Shake the bed.
Note: Playful, informal.
Horizontal Tango
Meaning: A humorous way of saying sex.
Example: “The movie hinted at some horizontal tango.”
Alternative: Dance in the sheets.
Note: Playful and cheeky.
Dance in the Sheets
Meaning: Euphemism for sex.
Example: “The couple spent hours dancing in the sheets.”
Alternative: Horizontal mambo.
Note: Informal and fun.
Make the Beast With Two Backs
Meaning: Classic idiom from Shakespeare meaning sex.
Example: “He referred to them as making the beast with two backs.”
Alternative: Join together.
Note: Literary and old-fashioned.
Horizontal Mambo
Meaning: Another funny way to describe sex.
Example: “They did the horizontal mambo until morning.”
Alternative: Tango in bed.
Note: Informal, humorous.
Rock and Roll
Meaning: Originally slang for sex before becoming a music term.
Example: “In the 1950s, rock and roll meant more than music.”
Alternative: Shake, rattle, and roll.
Note: Historical, cultural idiom.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
Idioms for sex are mainly used in informal conversations, jokes, movies, and music. They’re rarely suitable for professional or formal settings. If you’re speaking with close friends, idioms like get it on or Netflix and chill sound natural. In writing, especially in creative work, novels, or screenplays, these idioms add realism and cultural depth.
For professional or polite conversations, stick to softer phrases like sleep together or make love. Always consider the audience and setting before using them.
Common Mistakes Learners Make With Idioms
- Wrong Context
❌ “They made love during the business meeting.”
✅ Correct: “They made love during their romantic holiday.” - Mixing Idioms
❌ “They Netflix and hit the sheets.”
✅ Correct: “They Netflix and chilled.” - Using Idioms in Formal Writing
❌ “The president was caught bumping uglies.”
✅ Correct: “The president was accused of having an affair.”
FAQs
1. Are sex idioms polite to use?
Most are informal or humorous. Use them with friends or in casual settings, not in professional or academic contexts.
2. Which idiom is the most romantic?
Make love is considered the most romantic and poetic of all sex idioms.
3. Are these idioms common in movies and music?
Yes, many appear in pop culture—like Netflix and chill or rock and roll.
4. Can idioms for sex be offensive?
Some, like tap that or bump uglies, can sound crude. Be careful who you use them with.
5. Do all English speakers understand these idioms?
Most native speakers do, but some older or less common ones (sow wild oats, make whoopee) may sound outdated.
Conclusion
Sex idioms show how language turns private, intimate topics into playful expressions. They make conversations lively, help people joke or speak indirectly, and reflect cultural attitudes over time.
Whether you want to sound casual (hook up), romantic (make love), or funny (horizontal tango), these idioms add variety to your English. Just remember to use them in the right context and with the right audience.
Learning them not only helps you understand native speakers but also makes your English more natural and expressive.
