Idioms that refer to what is the fanciful seat of our emotions as well as the factual core of our circulatory system are understandably numerous. Here’s a list of phrases and expressions that include heart and, for the most part, pertain to human feelings.
1. a big heart: said of someone kind and loving
2. after my own heart: said of someone with similar preferences or values
3. a heart of gold: see “a big heart”
4. a heart of stone: said of someone without sympathy
5. all heart: see “a big heart”; sometimes used sarcastically to mean the opposite
6. at heart: basically
7. bare (one’s) heart: share one’s feelings or thoughts
8. bleeding heart: said of someone who is conspicuously or excessively generous
9. break (one’s) heart: cause someone emotional distress
10. by heart: from memory
11–13. capture/steal/win (one’s) heart: make someone fall in love with one
14–16. close/dear/near to (one’s) heart: loved or valued by someone
17. cross my heart: said as an oath to assert one’s honesty
18. didn’t have the heart: said when one cannot summon the will to do something hurtful
19. do (one’s) heart good: said about something that will be beneficial to someone
20. eat your heart out: said mockingly to someone expressing the desire for them to suffer; usually facetious
21. faint of heart: lacking courage
22–23. find a way into/to (one’s) heart: cause someone to fall in love with one
24. find it in (one’s) heart: have the compassion or courage to do something
25. follow (one’s) heart: do what one loves rather than what is expected of one
26. from the heart: with sincerity
27–28. gladden the/(one’s) heart: make someone happy or gratified
29. harden (one’s) heart: become callous
30. have (one’s) heart set on: be obsessed with obtaining
31. have (one’s) (best) interests at heart: be doing something for someone else’s benefit
32. heart goes out to: said in regard to feeling sympathy for someone
33. heart in (one’s) mouth: said of someone who has strong emotions about someone or something
34. heart is in the right place: said of someone well intentioned
35. heart of the matter: essence
36. hearts and minds: said in reference to persuading rather than compelling
37. heart’s desire: what one wishes deeply for
38. heart skips a beat: said of someone excited, frightened, or surprised
39. heavy heart: sadness
40–41. from the bottom/depths of (one’s) heart: profoundly
42. in (one’s) heart of hearts: if one’s true feelings or thoughts were known
43. know (one’s) heart: be aware of one’s true feelings
44. lose heart: become discouraged
45–46. matters/affairs of the heart: said of something pertaining to a love affair
47. melt (one’s) heart: cause someone to experience uncontrollable emotions
48. nearly gave (one) a heart attack: caused someone to feel anxiety or fear
49. (one’s) heart bleeds for: one is sympathetic
50. (one’s) heart is knocking: said of someone excited or nervous
51. (one’s) heart is not in: one does not feel a commitment to or an interest in
52. (one’s) heart leaps: one is excited
53. (one’s) heart melts: see “melt someone’s heart”
54. (one’s) heart sinks: one becomes discouraged
55. open (one’s) heart: show generosity or kindness
56–57. out of the goodness/kindness of (one’s) heart: because of generosity or goodwill
58. pour (one’s) heart/soul out: see “bare (one’s) heart”
59. put (one’s) heart into: do something with conviction or enthusiasm
60. sick at heart: discouraged
61–62. strike fear into (one’s) heart/into the heart of (one): cause someone to be afraid
63. take heart: be encouraged
64. take (something) to heart: be affected by something
65. to (one’s) heart’s content: to the extent one desires
66. warm (one’s)/the cockles of (one’s) heart: cause someone to feel positive emotion
67. wear (one’s) heart on (one’s) sleeve: openly show one’s emotions
68. with a sinking heart: said of someone who becomes discouraged or hopeless
69. with all (one’s) heart: with great enthusiasm
70. young at heart: youthful
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Heart Idioms
Среди наиболее интересных английских идиом мы выбрали наиболее часто употребляемые для выражения чувств, в которых присутствует слово «heart – сердце». Давайте вместе научимся использовать их.
- aching heart – боль в сердце, это чувство печали, которое люди испытывают когда чувства проходят.
• I was alone with my aching heart — я осталась одна с болью в сердце.
• Following my heart I decided to become a poet. – я решил стать поэтом как подсказывало мне мое сердце.
• She thanked me from the bottom of her heart for lending her money to buy a dog. – Она искренне поблагодарила меня за то, что я одолжил ей денег чтобы купить собаку.
• The speech of the School Headmaster seemed to be from the heart. – речь директора школы казалась искренней.
• I turned to him for help because I knew he was a bleeding heart – я обратился к нему за помощью, т.к. знал, что он способен сострадать другим.
• Her sad face broke my heart – ее грустный вид опечалил меня
• He broke my heart when he decided to leave – он разбил мне сердце, когда решил уехать
• You can eat your heart out but I will not change my decision – Ты можешь страдать, но это не изменит моего решения.
• After two hours of debates we got to the heart of this problem. – после двухчасовых дебатов мы добрались до сути проблемы.
• My grandmother has a big heart – she always helps other people. – моя бабушка очень добрая – она всегда помогает другим людям.
• You don’t have a heart! – у тебя нет сердца!
• I know he will forgive me – he has a heart of gold! – я знаю, он меня простит – у него золотое сердце!
• Only a man who has a heart of stone could leave a poor man without a piece of bread – только человек с каменным сердцем мог оставить беднягу без куска хлеба.
• I’m going to have a heart-to-heart talk with my wife tonight – я собираюсь искренне поговорить с женой сегодня вечером.
• Theу love each other heart and soul. – они любят друг друга всей душой
• I have put my heart and soul into these children – я вложил душу в этих детей
• Her heart was in her mouth when she faced the criminal – ее душа ушла в пятки, когда она столкнулась с преступником.
• I left my ill mother with a heavy heart – Я с тяжелым сердцем ушел от больной матери.
• We had to learn this poem by heart – нам нужно было выучить это стихотворение наизусть.
• I lost my heart to find a job – я потеряла надежду найти работу.
• She doesn’t have the heart to tell him that she will not marry him – она не решается сказать ему, что не выйдет за него замуж.
• She opened her heart to me and told of her problems – она разоткровенничалась и рассказала мне о своих проблемах.
• Don’t take his words to heart , he didn’t intend to insult you. – не принимай его слова близко к сердцу, он не намеревался оскорбить тебя.
Это далеко не полный список heart idioms — идиом, в которых участвует слово «heart», и мы обязательно вернемся к самым интересным из них позднее.
The word heart is used for many expressions in English that are emotional in some way. For example, the expressions cross my heart, have a change of heart, follow your heart, heart to heart, heart of gold, light-hearted, half-hearted, and many more, are all used to describe a person or situation that is emotional. I will teach you these and many more common expressions that you can start using today. Native English speakers use them frequently, and I think they will be very useful to you, too, especially around Valentine’s Day! You’ll have a chance to practice by doing a quiz with me during the video, but don’t forget to do the main quiz on EngVid after watching the lesson. If you have your heart set on learning new expressions in English, your heart will skip a beat for this lesson all about heart expressions.
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Test your understanding of the English lesson by answering these questions. You will get the answers and your score at the end of the quiz.
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Heart Idioms: Almost no one is completely ignorant of the I heart you meaning, and it may be the phrase we all truly desire to hear. There are many other heart idioms and phrases that may be used to express feelings and emotions, and learning them will offer you a benefit in your discussions.
Wondering what is by heart meaning? Or what is the meaning of a broken heart? Do not worry; we have you covered.
Here’s a selection of heart phrases idioms, and expressions that incorporate the word “heart” that, for the most significant part, are really about basic human emotions.
Enrich your Vocabulary by practicing the English Idioms that are commonly used in everyday conversations and understand their actual meaning.
- Meaning and Examples of some commonly used Heart Idioms
List of Heart Idioms
- A big heart
- Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
- After my own heart
- A heart of gold
- A heart of stone
- All heart
- By heart
- Cold hands, warm heart
- Cross one’s heart and hope to die.
- Eat your heart out
- From the Bottom of One’s Heart
- Have a heart
- Have a Soft Spot in One’s Heart
- Have your heart set on something
- Heart bleeds for
- Heart goes out to
- Heart of the matter
- Heart’s desire
- Heart skips a beat
- Heartbeat Away From Something
- Heavy heart
- Home is where the heart is
- In a heartbeat
- Lose one’s heart to
- Not Have the Heart to Do Something
- Pour One’s Heart Out to Someone
- Sick at heart
- Take heart
- Tug at Someone’s Heartstrings
- Wear Someone’s Heart on One’s Sleeve
- With All One’s Heart and Soul
- With a sinking heart
- Young at Heart
Meaning and Examples of some commonly used Heart Idioms
A big heart
Meaning: A caring and compassionate temperament.
Example: He never fails to make a donation to a non-profit organization; he truly and honestly has a big heart.
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
Meaning: When you are apart from someone you adore, you feel more affection for them.
Example: I tried to suppress my emotions for him, but after he departed for his military duty for a few months, I eventually realized that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
After my own heart
Meaning: Matching one’s personal preferences or viewpoints, or values.
Example: I was doing my best at the moment to adjust to the new environment, but I couldn’t seem to locate someone after my own heart.
A heart of gold
Meaning: Inferring that a person’s core values are kind and compassionate, and caring.
Example: Despite her severe demeanor, she truly has a heart of gold.
A heart of stone
Meaning: Having a harsh or ruthless demeanor.
Example: I’m not surprised how he remained so frigid even after his mother passed away; he has a heart of stone.
All heart
Meaning: To be extremely giving and caring about people
Example: Rani is all heart.
By heart
Meaning: Memorize.
Example: My performance anxiety destroys the speech on the day, no matter just how well I by heart it.
Cold hands, warm heart
Meaning: It indicates inner beauty, a compassionate personality, and a kind heart.
Example: She perfectly exemplifies the phrase “cold hands, warm heart.”
Cross one’s heart and hope to die.
Meaning: Term used to promise or swear that the truth will be disclosed.
Example: When I testify for his innocence, I may cross my heart and hope to die.
Eat your heart out
Meaning: Feel a strong unpleasant feeling such as bitter pain, sadness, anxiety, jealousy, and envy, or another.
Example: I don’t understand why he’s still eating his heart out over the fire; he’s landed a better job.
From the Bottom of One’s Heart
Meaning: Sincere appreciation
Example: I wished the new couple nothing but happiness and pleasure from the bottom of my heart.
Have a heart
Meaning: To urge that someone treat someone with empathy and kindness
Example: In such a severe circumstance, why can’t you just have a heart for John?
Have a Soft Spot in One’s Heart
Meaning: Have an emotional or sympathetic feeling for someone.
Example: He always had a soft spot in his heart for Rima, no matter how many times he refused to acknowledge it.
Have your heart set on something
Meaning: Something that a person truly desires and is adamant about getting, and it would be impossible for them to seek anything whatsoever.
Example: I have my heart set on the Yale University scholarship program and can’t think of anything really.
Heart bleeds for
Meaning: Feels grief or melancholy for someone who is having a difficult time.
Example: My heart bleeds for those whose homes were destroyed by the tsunami.
Heart goes out to
Meaning: To feel sorry for someone, particularly because they are suffering through a particularly terrible situation.
Example: My heart goes out to Rohan, who was immediately dismissed from his job without notice and with no fallback option.
Heart of the matter
Meaning: The most important, primary, or fundamental essence or elements of a problem, topic, or subject under consideration.
Example: We’ve been wasting a lot of time by going around in circles; all we need to do now is get to the heart of the matter.
Heart’s desire
Meaning: Something that a person desires or requires.
Example: My heart’s desire is to go away on a long vacation after a terribly challenging week at work.
Heart skips a beat
Meaning: Fear, anxiousness, or excitement causes a quiver in the chest or stomach.
Example: When I learned the hard way that I had failed the examination miserably, my heart skipped a beat.
Heartbeat Away From Something
Meaning: In a position to take over a position promptly if one’s superior or predecessor is unavailable.
Example: Although the post of vice-captain may seem inconsequential, be attentive when casting your vote; it is just a heartbeat away from the club’s president.
Heavy heart
Meaning: Unhappily in a sorrowful or dismal mood.
Example: With a heavy heart, I had to notify her that she had been sacked on the spot from her work owing to several formal complaints in her name.
Home is where the heart is
Meaning: The place where one feels most at ease in one’s actual home.
Example: After spending a few weeks away from my mother, I understood that home is where the heart is.
In a heartbeat
Meaning: Doing something promptly or quickly
Example: I would recommend doing the task in a heartbeat.
Lose one’s heart to
Meaning: To fall in love with.
Example: Mina had lost her heart to Runal, and they couldn’t tolerate one another a few weeks ago, which came as a complete shock to all of us.
Not Have the Heart to Do Something
Meaning: To be hesitant to do anything because you genuinely believe it would be cruel and heartless to do so.
Example: I did not have the heart to refuse the little child a bar of chocolate.
Pour One’s Heart Out to Someone
Meaning: To profusely or unexpectedly disclose one’s innermost or most personal emotions, sentiments, or truths.
Example: I never actually expected to pour my heart out to her.
Sick at heart
Meaning: Disappointed and dissatisfied.
Example: She was clearly sick at heart following her separation.
Take heart
Meaning: To draw strength or consolation from a fact.
Example: I hope he took heart from today’s session to address the situation.
Tug at Someone’s Heartstrings
Meaning: Lead someone to feel terrible for themselves or sad.
Example: He clearly knows how to tug at someone’s heartstrings mercilessly.
Wear Someone’s Heart on One’s Sleeve
Meaning: To openly express one’s sentiments, particularly romantic emotions.
Example: Kate wears her heart on her sleeves.
With All One’s Heart and Soul
Meaning: With one’s most genuine sentiments.
Example: With all my heart and soul, I wish them all good luck for the future.
With a sinking heart
Meaning: A huge deal of melancholy.
Example: She said her final goodbyes with a sinking heart.
Young at Heart
Meaning: Person who is exhibiting characteristics associated with youth, such as hope and optimism, enthusiasm, or zest.
Example: If you are young at heart, no matter how old you are, life gets much better.
Have you ever been “heartbroken”? Or learned something “by heart”? What do these expressions mean? Well, read the post and learn 8 “heart” expressions which could be useful in case you want to develop a better understanding and sound more natural in English.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: make your feelings obvious.
Ex: You shouldn’t wear your heart on your sleeve at work.
By heart
Meaning: memorize.
Ex: Polly learned the poem by heart.
Cross your heart
Meaning: promise to do something.
Ex: I promise to mow the grass – cross my heart!
From the bottom of your heart
Meaning: very sincerely.
Ex: I will always be there for you and I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
Young at heart
Meaning: feeling and acting as if you were younger than you really are.
Ex: My grandpa loves going to the pub and is a very active Facebooker. He’s young at heart.
Have your heart in your mouth
Meaning: be upset and scared.
Ex: Sally had her heart in her mouth when the bell rang.
Break someone’s heart
Meaning: make someone sad by telling them you don’t love them anymore.
Ex: Jill broke Brian’s heart when she told him that she no longer loved him.
Follow your heart
Meaning: do what you love rather than what’s expected of you.
Ex: You don’t have to study medicine because your parents want you to be a doctor. You should follow your heart and do what you like.
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