What part of “like” is difficult for you? That’s pretty clearly labeled as a metaphor, and as such it requires interpretation.
My issue with “partner in crime” is mostly its vapidity. It doesn’t say anything. Most of the people accusing me of “overthinking” seem to agree that a literal crime isn’t being referenced, so my question is what’s the difference between saying you’re seeking a partner in crime and you’re seeking a partner? Cutesiness? OK, I’ll buy that–I’m not interested in you because you’re way too cutesy for me. Thanks.
But what’s the sense in saying that you’re looking for a partner? Everyone placing a personal ad is looking for a partner–that’s the whole idea. So to take this in a whole different direction, and perhaps get my point across more clearly, can you come up with a personal ad that says nothing about you or what you’re looking for ? To do so, I would include “partner in crime” for sure, but also the aforementioned
and also “I want someone who’s fun to be with” and “understanding of my needs”–maybe “someone who likes the same things I like” (without further specification). Perhaps a few absurdly general truisms such as “You have to have cherries to bake a cherry pie–agreed?” Or “I’d like someone I feel I can trust.” As opposed to what? Someone you’re sure will betray your deepest secrets just for laughs? I wonder what the longest ad would be that I could write that wouldn’t contain a single useful or meaningful phrase. I could probably get over 50 words without repeating myself, I think, or indulging in dadaist gibberish.