head over heels

== English == === 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). === Pronunciation === (General American) enPR: hĕd ō'vər hēlz, IPA(key): /ˌhɛd oʊ.vɚ ˈhilz/, /ˌhɛd oʊ.vɚ ˈhi.əlz/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌhɛd əʊ.və ˈhiːlz/ === Adverb === head over heels (not comparable) Tumbling upside down; somersaulting. Synonyms: arse over tit, ass over teakettle, base over apex At top speed; frantically. Synonyms: full tilt, full throttle, like mad (usually with in love) Hopelessly; madly; to distraction; deeply; utterly. Synonym: head over ears ==== Derived terms ==== headless over heels ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === head over heels (not comparable) Hopelessly smitten; madly in love. ==== Translations ==== ==== Further reading ==== “head over heels”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.