25 Idioms for Heart

The heart has always been a powerful symbol in literature, language, and culture, representing emotions, desires, love, and the core of our being. Heart-related idioms allow us to convey complex feelings, whether it’s deep affection, emotional pain, or strength in difficult situations. These expressions provide a poetic and impactful way to communicate emotions that may be hard to articulate.

In this article, you’ll discover 25 idioms for heart, each representing a different aspect of emotional experience. These idioms will help you express feelings, relationships, and situations more vividly and colorfully.

1. A Change of Heart

Meaning: A shift in feelings or opinions, often from one extreme to another.
In a Sentence:

• She had a change of heart about quitting her job, realizing she was making a hasty decision.
• After hearing the full story, he had a change of heart and decided to support the project.
  Other Ways to Say: Shift in perspective, change in opinion, reversal of feelings

2. A Heart of Gold

Meaning: A kind, compassionate, and generous nature.
In a Sentence:

• She’s always there to help others, truly a person with a heart of gold.
• He has a heart of gold, donating to charity whenever he can.
  Other Ways to Say: Kind-hearted, generous, selfless

3. At Heart

Meaning: Essentially or fundamentally; used to describe the core nature of something or someone.
In a Sentence:

• He’s a quiet person, but at heart, he’s very friendly and approachable.
• She might seem tough, but at heart, she’s a romantic.
  Other Ways to Say: Fundamentally, deep down, at the core

4. A Heavy Heart

Meaning: Feeling sadness or sorrow, often from a difficult or heartbreaking situation.
In a Sentence:

• She left the meeting with a heavy heart, knowing the tough decisions that were ahead.
• After the loss of her pet, she carried a heavy heart for days.
  Other Ways to Say: Heartbroken, sorrowful, filled with grief

5. Take Something to Heart

Meaning: To be deeply affected or upset by something, especially criticism or advice.
In a Sentence:

• He took the feedback to heart and worked hard to improve his performance.
• Don’t take it to heart, they were just joking about your outfit.
  Other Ways to Say: Be affected by, be hurt by, be upset by

6. Heart in the Right Place

Meaning: Having good intentions or being genuinely kind, even if actions or words may not always show it.
In a Sentence:

• Although his approach was a little awkward, his heart was in the right place when he helped her with the project.
• He might not always know the right thing to say, but his heart is always in the right place.
  Other Ways to Say: Well-meaning, genuinely kind, sincere intentions

7. Break Someone’s Heart

Meaning: To deeply hurt or disappoint someone emotionally, often related to love or relationships.
In a Sentence:

• She broke his heart when she decided to move away without telling him first.
• It broke my heart to see the look on his face when he heard the news.
  Other Ways to Say: Hurt emotionally, cause great sadness, disappoint deeply

8. Follow Your Heart

Meaning: To make decisions based on what feels right emotionally or intuitively, often in contrast to logic or reason.
In a Sentence:

• She followed her heart and decided to pursue her dream of becoming an artist, despite the risks.
• Sometimes, you just have to follow your heart and trust that things will work out.
  Other Ways to Say: Trust your instincts, listen to your emotions, go with your gut

9. From the Bottom of Your Heart

Meaning: Doing or saying something with sincere feelings, often used when expressing gratitude, love, or affection.
In a Sentence:

• I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the support you’ve given me.
• She spoke from the bottom of her heart, telling him how much he meant to her.
  Other Ways to Say: Sincerely, with deep emotion, wholeheartedly

10. A Heart-to-Heart

Meaning: A deeply personal and honest conversation, often involving emotional sharing or vulnerability.
In a Sentence:

• We had a heart-to-heart about our relationship, which helped us understand each other better.
• After the difficult conversation, they felt closer, having had a real heart-to-heart.
  Other Ways to Say: Honest conversation, deep talk, candid discussion

11. A Change of Heart

Meaning: A shift in feelings or opinions, often from one extreme to another.
In a Sentence:

• After hearing the full story, he had a change of heart and decided to help out.
• She had a change of heart about quitting her job, realizing it wasn’t the right decision.
  Other Ways to Say: Shift in perspective, change in opinion, reversal of feelings

12. Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Meaning: To openly express your emotions, especially love or affection, without hiding them.
In a Sentence:

• She always wears her heart on her sleeve, telling everyone how much she cares about them.
• He wears his heart on his sleeve, and it’s easy to tell when something is bothering him.
  Other Ways to Say: Be open about emotions, openly express feelings, show vulnerability

13. A Heart of Stone

Meaning: A person who is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or unsympathetic.
In a Sentence:

• He acted with a heart of stone, refusing to listen to anyone’s concerns or feelings.
• Despite the situation, she kept a heart of stone, not allowing herself to show any emotion.
  Other Ways to Say: Cold-hearted, emotionally distant, unfeeling

14. Cross My Heart

Meaning: A phrase used to express sincerity or to make a solemn promise.
In a Sentence:

• “I’ll be there on time, cross my heart,” she said, assuring him she wouldn’t be late.
• I promise to take care of everything, cross my heart.
  Other Ways to Say: I swear, I promise, with all sincerity

15. Heart and Soul

Meaning: To put your complete energy and dedication into something, often used to describe full involvement or commitment.
In a Sentence:

• She poured her heart and soul into the project, ensuring it was done perfectly.
• He invested his heart and soul into his music, hoping to share his passion with the world.
  Other Ways to Say: Fully committed, completely invested, wholeheartedly involved

16. A Change of Heart

Meaning: A reversal of feelings or opinions, often a positive transformation or shift.
In a Sentence:

• He had a change of heart and decided to stay and finish the project, despite the difficulties.
• After the meeting, she had a change of heart and agreed to support the new proposal.
  Other Ways to Say: Shift in perspective, change in opinion, reversal of feelings

17. A Heart of Gold

Meaning: A person who is exceptionally kind, caring, and generous.
In a Sentence:

• He has a heart of gold, always willing to help those in need, no matter the circumstance.
• She’s the type of person with a heart of gold, always putting others before herself.
  Other Ways to Say: Kind-hearted, generous, selfless

18. A Heartfelt Thanks

Meaning: A deeply sincere and genuine expression of gratitude or appreciation.
In a Sentence:

• I wanted to send you a heartfelt thanks for all the support you’ve given me during this challenging time.
• They received a heartfelt thanks from the team for their hard work on the project.
  Other Ways to Say: Sincere gratitude, genuine thanks, deep appreciation

19. A Heavy Heart

Meaning: A feeling of sadness, grief, or sorrow, often used to describe someone who is emotionally burdened or upset.
In a Sentence:

• She left the meeting with a heavy heart, knowing the challenges ahead.
• After hearing the bad news, he carried a heavy heart, unsure of how to move forward.
  Other Ways to Say: Heartbroken, sorrowful, filled with grief

20. Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Meaning: To openly show or express your emotions, especially love or affection.
In a Sentence:

• He wears his heart on his sleeve, always letting people know how much they mean to him.
• She’s the type to wear her heart on her sleeve, never afraid to show her feelings.
  Other Ways to Say: Open with emotions, show vulnerability, express feelings openly

21. Heart of Stone

Meaning: A person who is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or unsympathetic.
In a Sentence:

• After hearing about her loss, he remained unaffected, showing a heart of stone.
• The boss had a heart of stone, never acknowledging the hard work of his employees.
  Other Ways to Say: Cold-hearted, emotionally detached, unfeeling

22. From the Bottom of Your Heart

Meaning: To express something with sincerity, often used to emphasize the depth of feeling behind an action or words.
In a Sentence:

• I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help.
• She said, “I love you from the bottom of my heart,” making it clear how deeply she cared.
  Other Ways to Say: Sincerely, with deep emotion, wholeheartedly

23. Break Someone’s Heart

Meaning: To deeply hurt or disappoint someone, especially in an emotional or romantic way.
In a Sentence:

• She broke his heart when she decided to move across the country for a new job.
• His rejection felt like it broke her heart into a million pieces.
  Other Ways to Say: Hurt emotionally, cause great sadness, disappoint deeply

24. Cross My Heart

Meaning: A phrase used to express honesty or a sincere promise.
In a Sentence:

• I promise I’ll never lie to you again, cross my heart.
• “I’ll be there at 7 PM, cross my heart,” he assured her.
  Other Ways to Say: I swear, I promise, with all sincerity

25. A Heart-to-Heart

Meaning: A deeply personal and honest conversation, often about emotions or difficult topics.
In a Sentence:

• We had a heart-to-heart about our relationship, clearing up misunderstandings.
• After a heart-to-heart with his manager, he understood what was expected of him.
  Other Ways to Say: Candid conversation, deep talk, emotional discussion

Practice Exercise

1. After the tough conversation, they had ____________, talking openly and honestly about their concerns.
2. Despite her tough exterior, she has ____________, always helping others in need.
3. ____________, I truly appreciate everything you’ve done for me this year.
4. He felt ____________ when he heard the news of the failure, unable to lift his spirits.
5. She was ____________, unwilling to admit that she was wrong.
6. They broke up after years of love, and it really ____________.
7. After months of back-and-forth, he finally had ____________, changing his opinion on the matter.
8. She always seems to ____________, making her emotions clear for everyone to see.
9. He promised, ____________, that he would help with the project.
10. ____________, she was the one who made a difference, always helping when others didn’t care.
11. ____________, we can achieve anything if we set our minds to it.
12. He acted with ____________, choosing to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t easy.
13. During the difficult times, he has ____________, ready to support others no matter what.
14. She tried to ____________, telling me everything that had been bothering her.
15. ____________, it was clear that she had always loved him.
16. His actions showed that he had ____________, full of kindness and concern for others.
17. He was deeply ____________ after the passing of his best friend.
18. They had ____________ after the argument, resolving their differences.
19. He always speaks ____________, telling everyone exactly how he feels.
20. He promised to ____________, but it took a while for her to trust him again.
21. She was ____________, but eventually, she began to open up about her true feelings.
22. The letter was ____________, expressing sincere gratitude and affection.
23. After hearing the news of her promotion, she was filled with ____________.
24. Despite all the trials, he remained ____________, never giving up on his dreams.
25. At the end of the conversation, it was clear that she had ____________, taking everything personally.

Answer Key

1. h) A Heart-to-Heart
2. b) A Heart of Gold
3. d) From the Bottom of Your Heart
4. e) A Heavy Heart
5. i) A Heart of Stone
6. c) Break Someone’s Heart
7. a) A Change of Heart
8. f) Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
9. j) Cross My Heart
10. l) A Heart in the Right Place
11. p) At Heart
12. n) A Soft Heart
13. o) A Warm Heart
14. s) Pour Your Heart Out
15. t) Give Your Heart to Someone
16. g) A Heartfelt Thanks
17. r) Heartbroken
18. h) A Heart-to-Heart
19. f) Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve
20. x) A Heart on the Line
21. u) Open Your Heart
22. g) A Heartfelt Thanks
23. w) A Cold Shoulder
24. v) Have a Heart of a Lion
25. y) A Heart Like a Stone

Conclusion

The 25 idioms for heart explored in this article provide powerful expressions for a wide range of emotional experiences, from the deepest affections to the most painful heartaches. Heart metaphors can describe both the intensity and the subtlety of emotions, making them perfect tools for expressing the complexity of human feelings. These idioms expressing deep emotions not only enhance our vocabulary but also enable us to communicate feelings that might otherwise remain unspoken. By tapping into the rich imagery associated with the heart, we can better articulate our experiences of love, loss, and longing. Ultimately, these expressions connect us on a more profound level, allowing for greater empathy and understanding among individuals. In addition to expressing love and heartache, many idioms capture the vulnerability inherent in our emotional landscapes. For instance, the inclusion of common idioms about crying can resonate deeply, reflecting the moments when our feelings overflow and need to be released. By embracing these expressions, we not only give voice to our struggles but also invite others to share in the delicate tapestry of human emotion. In addition to conveying deep emotional states, language also empowers us to guide others through their challenges. By incorporating useful idioms for giving advice, we can offer insights that resonate on a personal level, helping to illuminate paths forward during difficult times. This blend of emotional expression and practical guidance enriches our conversations, fostering mutual support and understanding.

These idioms allow us to talk about love, pain, generosity, kindness, and emotional change with vivid and relatable language. Whether we are describing a “heartfelt thanks”, a “heart of gold”, or a “heart of stone”, these expressions can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

Incorporating these idioms into your conversations or writing can add richness and depth, helping you articulate emotions in ways that resonate. From the sincerity of a “heart-to-heart” to the resilience of a “heart of a lion”, these idioms give voice to the most profound and intricate aspects of the heart.