Words have meaning. Sometimes they can have more than one meaning, but that’s no reason to be careless about using them – especially when they can mislead or hurt our loved ones.

“Turns me on” means – first and foremost – sexual excitation and desire. Using that phrase meaning something else is deceitful or at least misleading. It could be unintentional, but it’s still dishonest.

> ““Turned on” is a colloquialism in the same way that “can’t wait” is.”

Not for men. For men, “turned on” is literal. Therefore, when you talk to a man you should use it in the literal sense only – because that is what he will understand.

What if a man said to a woman “I love you so much!”, actually meaning “You’re a nice person, we should meet once or twice in a year”? Or meaning “I like you, let’s have sex and be friends with benefits”?

Would it be OK, because “love” can have many different meanings…?

Or would you rather say “Be careful with your words, and be careful about what the other may understand”?