Singles and daters, move over—casual dating and ghosting are old news. There’s a new trend in town. ‘ Date Till You Hate ’ is a viral phenomenon on social media, where the idea is simple: date someone intensely until the initial spark fizzles and turns into genuine dislike. Reels under the trend show couples navigating their relationships until the tension finally peaks.
Recently, while discussing the trend, a Reddit user posted: “Anyone else seen this ‘Date Them Till You Hate Them’ trend on TikTok? It’s kind of depressing how relatable it is for some people. Basically, folks admit they stay in relationships even when things are slowly falling apart, just to avoid the breakup conversation. Instead of addressing what’s not working, they coast on autopilot until the emotional disconnection becomes too big to ignore.”
The viral breakup theory is attributed to TikToker Meg Neil, who shared how she managed to end a four-year relationship with minimal heartbreak: “I dated him till I hated him.” Neil explains in the video: “You’re going to watch them disrespect you… until you no longer want to associate with them anymore.”
Experts warn that while the trend is played for laughs online, it could encourage unhealthy relationship patterns if taken literally.

• The phrase “date ’em till you hate ’em” even appears in Netflix ’s Jewish Matchmaking, where matchmaker Aleeza Ben Shalom uses it as a warning
• While the TikTok trend treats it like a joke, encouraging people to stay in relationships until love fades into dislike, the show flips the idea. Ben Shalom urges singles to date with intention, be honest about their values, and spot red flags early

Experts warn against the trend
Psychologists note that relationships built on genuine connection, empathy, and mutual respect cannot thrive under a ‘hate until you date’ mindset.
Explaining the theory, therapist Lindsey Brock was quoted in a news report: “The trend made the rounds on TikTok, encouraging women to stay with a partner long past the expiration date of the relationship… The idea is that if you stick it out long enough, your toxic, disrespectful partner will eventually disgust you, making it easier to walk away.”
“It encourages people to stop speaking up for their needs in their relationship and instead build up slow resentment,” psychologist Sarah Hensley was quoted in Cosmopolitan.
Relationship expert Dr Tara Suwinyattichaiporn was quoted in a news report, saying: “Some people use this approach because they lack effective communication skills to reject someone or enforce their boundaries. Once you feel constant negative emotions in your relationship, it doesn’t stay confined to that relationship. It bleeds into other aspects of your life and wellness.”