The seven-year itch

noun

The feeling of restlessness or decreased happiness in a relationship around the seventh year of a marriage.

Many couples experience the seven-year itch, but they work through it together.

Visual representation of "the seven-year itch" - The feeling of restlessness or decreased happiness in a relationship around the seventh year of a marriage.

Often appears as...

experience the seven-year itch
suffer from the seven-year itch

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun

A persistent and intense desire for something new or different, especially in a relationship or job, after seven years.

John quit his job out of the blue, saying he was feeling the seven-year itch to try something new.

Visual representation of "the seven-year itch" - A persistent and intense desire for something new or different, especially in a relationship or job, after seven years.

Often appears as...

feel the seven-year itch
have the seven-year itch

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun

The feeling of restlessness or decreased happiness in a relationship around the seventh year of a marriage.

Many couples experience the seven-year itch, but they work through it together.

Often appears as...

experience the seven-year itch
suffer from the seven-year itch

Usage tips

Idiomatic

noun

A persistent and intense desire for something new or different, especially in a relationship or job, after seven years.

John quit his job out of the blue, saying he was feeling the seven-year itch to try something new.

Often appears as...

feel the seven-year itch
have the seven-year itch

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2

Visual representation of "the seven-year itch"

Pro Tip 1/3

Cultural Origin

Originated from the belief that happiness in marriage declines around the seventh year.

After seven years together, they joked about being wary of the seven-year itch.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

It's more of a metaphor for restlessness than a specific event or timeline.

They felt the seven-year itch creeping in, and decided to spice up their routine.

Pro Tip 3/3

Common Metaphor

Widely used to describe a slump in relationship satisfaction, not just marriage.

Though not married, they felt the seven-year itch in their partnership.

Pro Tip 1/3

Cultural Origin

Originated from the belief that happiness in marriage declines around the seventh year.

After seven years together, they joked about being wary of the seven-year itch.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

It's more of a metaphor for restlessness than a specific event or timeline.

They felt the seven-year itch creeping in, and decided to spice up their routine.

Pro Tip 3/3

Common Metaphor

Widely used to describe a slump in relationship satisfaction, not just marriage.

Though not married, they felt the seven-year itch in their partnership.

Pro Tip 1/3

Cultural Origin

Originated from the belief that happiness in marriage declines around the seventh year.

After seven years together, they joked about being wary of the seven-year itch.

Pro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

It's more of a metaphor for restlessness than a specific event or timeline.

They felt the seven-year itch creeping in, and decided to spice up their routine.

Pro Tip 3/3

Common Metaphor

Widely used to describe a slump in relationship satisfaction, not just marriage.

Though not married, they felt the seven-year itch in their partnership.

Visual representation of the word "The seven-year itch"

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