Ever heard someone say they had to “love it or list it” and wondered what that meant? 🤔
This popular phrase often pops up in home renovation shows, real estate conversations, and even everyday life when people can’t decide whether to keep something they have or replace it with something new.
In this guide, you’ll learn:
- The meaning of “Love It” and “List It”
- The difference between them
- When and how to use each phrase correctly
- Examples, common mistakes, and a quick recap
By the end, you’ll clearly understand when to say “love it” and when to “list it” — even if you’re new to English or just curious about this fun expression.
💡 What Does Each Phrase Mean?
Let’s break it down simply:
❤️ “Love It” — Meaning
To love it means to keep something because you like it or are satisfied with it.
In context, it’s about staying with what you have — your home, your job, or even a decision.
Part of speech: Verb phrase
Simple definition: To be happy with something and want to keep it.
Examples:
- “After the renovation, we decided to love it and stay.”
- “She loved the new design and chose to love it.”
- “If you still enjoy your home, just love it instead of selling.”
🏠 “List It” — Meaning
To list it means to sell or put something up for sale, especially property.
The word “list” here refers to listing a home on the real estate market.
Part of speech: Verb phrase
Simple definition: To sell or offer something for sale.
Examples:
- “They didn’t like the renovation, so they decided to list it.”
- “If the repairs cost too much, we’ll just list it.”
- “They listed the house after years of trying to fix it.”
⚖️ The Key Difference Between “Love It” and “List It”
| Feature | Love It | List It |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Keep something you enjoy | Sell or replace something you don’t want |
| Used When | You’re satisfied and want to stay | You’re unhappy and want to move on |
| Emotion | Positive, content | Practical, change-oriented |
| Example Sentence | “We loved our remodeled home.” | “We listed the house after the inspection.” |
Quick Tip to Remember:
If you’re happy → Love it ❤️
If you’re ready to move on → List it 🏠
🚫 Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even native speakers can misunderstand this phrase because it sounds like an emotional expression. Here’s how to avoid confusion:
| ❌ Incorrect | ✅ Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| “I’ll love it when I sell it.” | “I’ll list it when I sell it.” | “Love it” means keep it, not sell it. |
| “They listed their new favorite house.” | “They loved their new house.” | You list a house you want to sell, not one you adore. |
| “We decided to love it after getting an offer.” | “We decided not to list it after getting an offer.” | The two are opposites; you can’t do both. |
🧠 Tip: Think of “Love It or List It” like a yes-or-no decision — stay or go.
❤️ When to Use “Love It”
You use “love it” when:
- You’re happy with something as it is.
- You’ve made changes and now enjoy the result.
- You’ve decided to stay or keep what you have.
Examples:
- “The kitchen looks amazing now — we’ll love it.”
- “After painting the walls, I decided to love it.”
- “They loved the new open space and chose to stay.”
- “I was unsure about my room, but now I love it.”
- “If it feels right, love it and move on.”
💡 Memory Hack:
Imagine a heart ❤️ next to something you keep. That’s your clue — if you love it, you keep it!
🏘️ When to Use “List It”
You use “list it” when:
- You want to sell or move away from something.
- The current situation doesn’t make you happy.
- You’ve decided it’s time for change.
Examples:
- “The plumbing repairs were too costly, so we decided to list it.”
- “If you’re tired of the neighborhood, you might list it.”
- “They couldn’t fix the layout, so they’ll list it.”
- “We’re moving next year, so we’ll list it soon.”
- “If it’s not working anymore, just list it.”
💡 Memory Hack:
Think of a ‘For Sale’ sign — when you “list it,” you’re ready to say goodbye.
🧾 Quick Recap: “Love It” vs “List It”
Here’s a simple summary to remember easily:
- Love It = Keep it because you like it ❤️
- List It = Sell it because you’re done with it 🏠
- Love It or List It = Decide whether to stay or move on
✅ Quick Test:
If you’d be sad to leave → Love it.
If you’re ready for change → List it.
🧠 Advanced Tips
- The phrase “Love It or List It” became popular from the TV show where homeowners decide whether to stay in their renovated home (“Love It”) or sell it (“List It”).
- In everyday English, people also use it figuratively:
- “Should I love it or list it?” = “Should I keep it or replace it?”
- It’s a great idiom for teaching decision-making expressions in English.
Formal Writing Tip:
In essays or business writing, replace this phrase with “retain or replace” or “keep or sell,” since “Love It or List It” is informal.
🧩 Mini Quiz: Test Your Understanding
Fill in the blanks with Love It or List It:
- The repairs are too expensive — we’ll ______.
- After the remodel, they decided to ______.
- If you don’t like the new layout, just ______.
- The new colors look amazing — I totally ______.
- We’re moving to another city, so we’ll ______ next month.
(Answers: 1. List it | 2. Love it | 3. List it | 4. Love it | 5. List it)
❓ FAQs
1. What does “Love It or List It” mean?
It means deciding whether to stay with something you love or sell/move away from it — especially in home or lifestyle decisions.
2. Is “Love It or List It” only used for houses?
Mostly yes, but people also use it humorously for jobs, clothes, or relationships — whenever they’re deciding to keep or let go.
3. What’s the difference between “Love It” and “List It”?
“Love It” = Keep it.
“List It” = Sell it or replace it.
4. Can I say “Love It or List It” in writing?
Yes, but it’s informal. It fits best in conversations, blogs, or creative writing — not formal essays.
5. How can I remember it easily?
Think of it as a heart vs. house sign: ❤️ = Love it, 🏠 = List it.
🏁 Conclusion
Now you know what “Love It or List It” really means!
It’s not just a catchy TV phrase — it’s a smart way to express choices between keeping what you love or moving on to something new.
So next time you’re facing a big decision — a home, a job, or even a hobby — ask yourself:
👉 Will you love it or list it?
Keep practicing phrases like this to make your English sound natural, confident, and fun! 🌟
Kael Donovan is a language enthusiast and writer at Definevs.com, simplifying complex words and grammar rules into fun, easy-to-understand guides for readers.
