public display of affection
Lovebirds in view
Public display of affection refers to romantic or sexual physical contact between people in view of others—kissing, embracing, holding hands, or more intimate touching.
Often abbreviated PDA.
The phrase typically appears in contexts where such behavior is discouraged or criticized: No public displays of affection in school hallways.
What counts as excessive varies by culture and setting.
- dateSpecific day or outing
- coupleTwo linked together
- love birdsInfatuated romantic pair
- romanticConducive to love
- loverRomantic intimate
passion · kissing · stolen kiss · boundaries · affair · consent · roses · hugging · cuddling · nonverbal communication · engagement · get a room · social acceptance · holding hands · hand holding · park bench · movie theater · Eskimo kiss
public display of affectionbehind closed doors
In private, unobserved
intimate moment · secret rendezvous · secret romance · stolen moment · hidden romance
public display of affectiondomestic dispute
Conflict within a household
public display of affectionemotional restraint
Suppressing outward feeling display
emotional distance · stoicism · stiff upper lip · professional distance · aloofness
public, publicly, publics, publication, publish, publisher, publishing, published, republic