Stop Calling Your Partner Your “Other Half” (And Other Cringe Phrases to Drop)
Let’s get one thing straight: you are not half of a person. Neither is your partner. And unless you’re starring in a romantic comedy from the early 2000s or a Shakespearean tragedy, you don’t need anyone to complete you.
We get it—these kinds of phrases are everywhere. From Instagram captions to wedding toasts, language like “my better half,” “you complete me,” and “we’re two halves of a whole” is treated as shorthand for intimacy and love. But let’s pause for a moment and unpack what those sweet-sounding words actually imply… and why it might be time to let them go.
Where These Phrases Come From (And Why That Matters)
The idea of being “incomplete” without a partner isn’t new. One of the earliest known versions comes from Plato’s Symposium, where humans were supposedly split in two by the gods, and we've been searching for our “other half” ever since. Romantic? Sure. Empowering? Not even a little.
That myth, and the phrases it inspired, come loaded with the idea that we are not whole on our own. That without a romantic partnership, we’re somehow lacking. That love is about merging, blurring boundaries, and losing yourself in someone else.
Newsflash: that’s not intimacy. That’s codependence with a marketing budget.
The Problem With “My Other Half”
Calling someone your “other half” may seem harmless, but the subtext is loud: I am not whole unless I am partnered. In healthy relationships, especially ones grounded in mutual respect and autonomy, we celebrate two whole people choosing each other, not out of need, but out of desire.
This phrase also erases a lot of relationship diversity. What about polyamorous folks? Aromantic people? Those contentedly single? The “other half” narrative assumes that partnership is everyone’s ultimate goal, and that there’s only one kind that counts.
Other Phrases That Could Use a Breakup
While we’re on the subject, let’s take a look at a few other common sayings that deserve a gentle retirement (or a dramatic, soap-opera-style exit).
“Ball and chain”
Translation: I resent my partner and/or commitment. It’s a joke, but it reinforces the idea that relationships are a burden or trap.“The old ball and chain”
(Yes, it gets its own mention—it’s that bad.) This one has historical roots in prison imagery. Yikes.“Wife me up” / “Put a ring on it”
These reinforce outdated gender roles and imply that partnership is the ultimate prize. Spoiler: You're not a consolation trophy.“Boys will be boys” / “Happy wife, happy life”
Both rely on tired stereotypes that shut down communication in relationships. One excuses poor behavior, the other suggests emotional manipulation is the only way to keep peace.“She’s out of your league”
Let’s stop reinforcing hierarchy in attraction and partnership. People aren't trophies to be earned.
So What Do We Say Instead?
Words matter. They shape our expectations and our relationships. The language we use can either reinforce myths or open us up to more expansive, inclusive ideas of connection.
Try these on for size instead:
“My partner” or “My person” (simple, clear, and gender-neutral)
“We choose each other”
“We complement each other, not complete each other”
“I’m proud of the life we’re building together”
“We're each growing into our fullest selves—with each other”
These kinds of phrases promote sex-positive, growth-oriented intimacy—where partnership is about collaboration, not completion.
TL;DR: You Are Already Whole
Let’s normalize being whole people who want relationships, not need them to be valid. Let’s celebrate the ways we can grow alongside someone without losing ourselves. And let’s absolutely retire the ball-and-chain jokes once and for all.
Because healthy relationships aren’t about finding your missing piece—they’re about building something new, together.