Some people say the heart is more than just a body part. In the USA, many phrases use the word “heart” to talk about feelings. These are called idioms. They help describe emotions in fun and simple ways. When someone is kind, brave, or sad, there’s often a heart idiom that fits.
Idioms about the heart are easy to hear in everyday American life. You might hear them on TV shows, at school, or in songs. They help people share deep feelings without using a lot of words. In this article, we’ll explore some of these sayings and learn what they mean.
Idioms About Heart
1. Have a big heart
Meaning: To be very kind and caring.
Example Sentence:
• My grandma has a big heart and always helps neighbors.
• He has a big heart for animals.
Other ways to say: Kind, warm-hearted
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is used a lot in the U.S. when someone gives time or love to others.
Usage: Used to show someone who is very giving or loving.
2. Break someone’s heart
Meaning: To make someone very sad.
Example Sentence:
• It broke her heart when her dog passed away.
• He broke her heart when he moved away.
Other ways to say: Hurt badly, cause sadness
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in movies and songs about love.
Usage: Used when someone feels deep pain from loss or love.
3. Cross my heart
Meaning: To promise that you’re telling the truth.
Example Sentence:
• I’ll be home by 5, cross my heart.
• Cross my heart, I didn’t eat your cookies.
Other ways to say: I promise, I swear
Fun Fact/Origin: People sometimes even say “cross my heart and hope to die.”
Usage: Used when making a serious promise.
4. Young at heart
Meaning: To feel or act like you’re still young.
Example Sentence:
• Grandpa is 80, but he’s young at heart.
• My mom loves roller coasters because she’s young at heart.
Other ways to say: Playful, lively
Fun Fact/Origin: This is a common way to say someone still enjoys fun things.
Usage: Used to show someone enjoys life like a young person.
5. Change of heart
Meaning: To change your mind or feelings.
Example Sentence:
• I had a change of heart and stayed home.
• He had a change of heart about moving to Texas.
Other ways to say: Changed mind, new decision
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like your feelings went in a different direction.
Usage: Used when someone decides to do something different.
6. Follow your heart
Meaning: To do what you truly feel is right.
Example Sentence:
• She followed her heart and became an artist.
• I followed my heart and said yes to the job.
Other ways to say: Trust your feelings, go with your gut
Fun Fact/Origin: Common advice in American books and movies.
Usage: Used when someone chooses based on feelings, not logic.
7. Heart of gold
Meaning: A person who is very good and kind.
Example Sentence:
• She has a heart of gold and volunteers every week.
• He helped the stray dog—what a heart of gold.
Other ways to say: Very nice, pure heart
Fun Fact/Origin: Gold is valuable, like a kind heart.
Usage: Used to describe a truly caring person.
8. Lose heart
Meaning: To feel discouraged or hopeless.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t lose heart—you’ll pass the test next time.
• He lost heart after losing the game.
Other ways to say: Give up, feel sad
Fun Fact/Origin: It means your courage or hope goes away.
Usage: Used when someone feels like giving up.
9. From the bottom of my heart
Meaning: With deep feeling or honesty.
Example Sentence:
• Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
• I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart.
Other ways to say: Truly, deeply
Fun Fact/Origin: It means you feel something strongly inside.
Usage: Used to show deep thanks, love, or sorrow.
10. Take it to heart
Meaning: To take something seriously.
Example Sentence:
• Don’t take it to heart—he was just joking.
• She took the advice to heart and worked harder.
Other ways to say: Take seriously, be affected by
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s like you let the words go deep inside you.
Usage: Used when someone really thinks about what was said.
11. Eat your heart out
Meaning: To feel jealous or to show off.
Example Sentence:
• I won the game—eat your heart out!
• She got the lead role—eat your heart out, drama club!
Other ways to say: Be jealous, look at this
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase can be playful or teasing.
Usage: Used when showing success or trying to make someone envious.
12. Pour your heart out
Meaning: To share your deepest feelings.
Example Sentence:
• She poured her heart out about the breakup.
• He poured his heart out in his letter.
Other ways to say: Speak openly, share everything
Fun Fact/Origin: Like dumping all your feelings at once.
Usage: Used when someone talks about emotional things.
13. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: To show your emotions openly.
Example Sentence:
• He wears his heart on his sleeve and cries at movies.
• She wore her heart on her sleeve after the argument.
Other ways to say: Show feelings, open book
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from knights tying a token on their arm to show love.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t hide their emotions.
14. Heart skips a beat
Meaning: To feel a sudden excitement or fear.
Example Sentence:
• My heart skipped a beat when I saw the surprise.
• His heart skipped a beat when the teacher called his name.
Other ways to say: Felt shock, surprised
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on real feelings when you’re nervous or happy.
Usage: Used when something causes a quick emotional reaction.
15. In your heart of hearts
Meaning: What you truly believe deep inside.
Example Sentence:
• In her heart of hearts, she knew the truth.
• He said no, but in his heart of hearts, he wanted to go.
Other ways to say: Deep down, truly
Fun Fact/Origin: An old phrase that means your most honest thoughts.
Usage: Used to talk about true feelings or beliefs.
16. After my own heart
Meaning: Someone who likes the same things as you.
Example Sentence:
• Do you love baseball too? You’re a person after my own heart!
• She’s kind and loves dogs—she’s after my own heart.
Other ways to say: Just like me, similar spirit
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used when someone does something you love.
Usage: Used to show connection or shared values.
17. Cry your heart out
Meaning: To cry a lot because you are sad.
Example Sentence:
• She cried her heart out after her cat got lost.
• He cried his heart out when the movie ended.
Other ways to say: Cry a lot, sob hard
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in emotional scenes in American dramas.
Usage: Used when someone is very upset.
18. Have your heart set on
Meaning: To really want something.
Example Sentence:
• She had her heart set on getting the lead role.
• I had my heart set on that new bike.
Other ways to say: Really want, aim for
Fun Fact/Origin: Shows strong desire for something.
Usage: Used when someone is focused on a goal or wish.
19. Put your heart into it
Meaning: To try your best with care.
Example Sentence:
• He put his heart into the art project.
• She put her heart into baking the perfect cake.
Other ways to say: Give your best, do with care
Fun Fact/Origin: Commonly used in school and sports.
Usage: Used to praise effort and care.
20. With all your heart
Meaning: With full effort or deep feeling.
Example Sentence:
• I believe in you with all my heart.
• She cheered for her team with all her heart.
Other ways to say: Fully, completely
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in songs and poems in the U.S.
Usage: Used to show full belief, love, or effort.
21. A change of heart
Meaning: A change in feelings or decision.
Example Sentence:
• He had a change of heart and stayed home.
• She had a change of heart about joining the team.
Other ways to say: Changed mind, new feeling
Fun Fact/Origin: Often happens in movies when someone realizes something.
Usage: Used when someone decides to do something different.
22. A heart of stone
Meaning: Someone who shows no feelings.
Example Sentence:
• He has a heart of stone and never cries.
• She didn’t care—her heart was like stone.
Other ways to say: Cold-hearted, tough
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a rock—hard and emotionless.
Usage: Used when someone seems uncaring.
23. Heart in the right place
Meaning: Someone means well, even if they mess up.
Example Sentence:
• He spilled the juice, but his heart was in the right place.
• She forgot, but her heart is in the right place.
Other ways to say: Good intentions, means well
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in family conversations.
Usage: Used to defend someone who tried to do good.
24. Heart of steel
Meaning: Very brave or strong in emotions.
Example Sentence:
• She has a heart of steel—nothing scares her.
• He stayed calm—like a heart of steel.
Other ways to say: Very brave, strong inside
Fun Fact/Origin: Steel is strong, just like courage.
Usage: Used to describe someone who stays calm under pressure.
25. With a heavy heart
Meaning: Feeling sad while doing something.
Example Sentence:
• I left the camp with a heavy heart.
• He said goodbye with a heavy heart.
Other ways to say: Sadly, with sorrow
Fun Fact/Origin: Heavy things are hard to carry—like sadness.
Usage: Used when someone is sad but has to do something.
26. My heart bleeds for you
Meaning: Sarcastic way to say “I don’t really care.”
Example Sentence:
• Oh, you had to clean your room? My heart bleeds for you.
• My heart bleeds for him—he got grounded again.
Other ways to say: Poor you (sarcastic), not really sorry
Fun Fact/Origin: Used with sarcasm in the U.S.
Usage: Used when someone wants to mock a complaint.
27. By heart
Meaning: To memorize something fully.
Example Sentence:
• I learned the song by heart.
• She knows all the state capitals by heart.
Other ways to say: Memorized, from memory
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in school settings.
Usage: Used when talking about something you remember perfectly.
28. Heart goes out to
Meaning: To feel sorry for someone.
Example Sentence:
• My heart goes out to the family who lost their home.
• Her heart went out to the sick puppy.
Other ways to say: Feel sorry, show sympathy
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in news and speeches to show support.
Usage: Used to express caring for others in pain.
29. Have a change of heart
Meaning: To think differently than before.
Example Sentence:
• He had a change of heart about quitting the team.
• I had a change of heart and gave her another chance.
Other ways to say: Changed mind, new thought
Fun Fact/Origin: It means your feelings “shift” inside.
Usage: Used when someone decides differently.
30. Heart isn’t in it
Meaning: Not interested or not trying.
Example Sentence:
• He played the game, but his heart wasn’t in it.
• She joined the club, but her heart wasn’t in it.
Other ways to say: Not focused, doesn’t care
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in U.S. school sports and activities.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t feel excited or involved.
31. Close to your heart
Meaning: Something very important or special to you.
Example Sentence:
• Helping animals is close to her heart.
• That photo is close to my heart because it’s from our family trip.
Other ways to say: Important to me, special
Fun Fact/Origin: People put special things near their heart to keep them safe.
Usage: Used when talking about something you care a lot about.
32. Hard-hearted
Meaning: Not caring about others’ feelings.
Example Sentence:
• The villain in the story was hard-hearted.
• He was hard-hearted and didn’t say sorry.
Other ways to say: Mean, uncaring
Fun Fact/Origin: The opposite of “warm-hearted.”
Usage: Used to describe people who don’t show kindness.
33. Heart stands still
Meaning: To feel sudden fear or shock.
Example Sentence:
• My heart stood still when the car almost hit the dog.
• Her heart stood still when she heard the loud crash.
Other ways to say: Got scared, frozen in fear
Fun Fact/Origin: It feels like your heart stops when you’re shocked.
Usage: Used when someone feels a scary surprise.
34. Heart-to-heart
Meaning: A serious, honest talk between two people.
Example Sentence:
• We had a heart-to-heart about moving to a new school.
• Mom and I had a heart-to-heart about my grades.
Other ways to say: Deep talk, serious chat
Fun Fact/Origin: It means talking from one heart to another.
Usage: Used when people talk about feelings or problems.
35. A good heart
Meaning: Being kind and full of care.
Example Sentence:
• He has a good heart and helps others all the time.
• People with good hearts always do the right thing.
Other ways to say: Kind person, caring soul
Fun Fact/Origin: “Good heart” is used a lot in schools and churches in the USA.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is always nice.
36. Lose your heart to
Meaning: To fall in love with someone or something.
Example Sentence:
• She lost her heart to the puppy at the shelter.
• He lost his heart to that beach town.
Other ways to say: Fall in love, adore
Fun Fact/Origin: People say you “give your heart” when you fall in love.
Usage: Used when someone suddenly cares deeply for something.
37. Heavy heart
Meaning: Feeling very sad.
Example Sentence:
• He walked away with a heavy heart.
• With a heavy heart, she said goodbye to her best friend.
Other ways to say: Very sad, full of sorrow
Fun Fact/Origin: Feels like sadness weighs you down.
Usage: Used during sad times or hard goodbyes.
38. Know something by heart
Meaning: To memorize something fully.
Example Sentence:
• I know the Pledge of Allegiance by heart.
• She learned the whole song by heart.
Other ways to say: Memorized, can say without reading
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom is used often in U.S. schools.
Usage: Used when someone can recite something perfectly.
39. Open your heart
Meaning: To share your true feelings.
Example Sentence:
• She opened her heart and talked about her fears.
• He opened his heart to his best friend.
Other ways to say: Be honest, speak from the heart
Fun Fact/Origin: It means letting someone see your true emotions.
Usage: Used when someone is ready to be real and vulnerable.
40. Steal your heart
Meaning: To make someone fall in love with you.
Example Sentence:
• The baby’s smile stole everyone’s heart.
• That movie star stole her heart.
Other ways to say: Charm someone, win someone over
Fun Fact/Origin: Doesn’t mean taking something—it’s about love.
Usage: Used when someone makes another person love them quickly.
41. Have a heart!
Meaning: Asking someone to be kind.
Example Sentence:
• Have a heart! Let the dog inside—it’s freezing.
• Have a heart and help your little brother.
Other ways to say: Be nice, show care
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in American shows when asking for kindness.
Usage: Used when someone wants another person to care.
42. Follow your heart
Meaning: Do what you truly feel is right.
Example Sentence:
• She followed her heart and moved to New York.
• He followed his heart and adopted the dog.
Other ways to say: Trust your feelings, go with your gut
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in American advice for making big decisions.
Usage: Used when someone makes a personal or emotional choice.
43. In a heartbeat
Meaning: Right away, without delay.
Example Sentence:
• I’d help you in a heartbeat.
• She said she’d go to the concert in a heartbeat.
Other ways to say: Quickly, without hesitation
Fun Fact/Origin: A heartbeat is very fast—so is the decision.
Usage: Used to show willingness or quick decision.
44. With a thankful heart
Meaning: Feeling truly grateful.
Example Sentence:
• We gave thanks with a thankful heart at dinner.
• She accepted the gift with a thankful heart.
Other ways to say: Grateful, full of thanks
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used in Thanksgiving speeches in the U.S.
Usage: Used when someone feels deeply thankful.
45. Have a soft heart
Meaning: Easily moved by emotions.
Example Sentence:
• She has a soft heart for animals.
• His soft heart made him cry at the sad movie.
Other ways to say: Gentle, emotional
Fun Fact/Origin: A soft heart means you feel things easily.
Usage: Used for people who are caring and sensitive.
Quiz: Idioms About Heart
Instructions: Choose the best answer for each question. These questions test your understanding of common heart idioms. Pick the one that makes the most sense based on what you’ve learned.
Question Key
1. What does “have a big heart” mean?
A) Eat a lot of food
B) Be very kind and caring
C) Have a heart problem
2. If someone says “cross my heart,” what are they doing?
A) Drawing on paper
B) Making a joke
C) Making a serious promise
3. What does it mean to “pour your heart out”?
A) To write a song
B) To share deep feelings
C) To go for a walk
4. What does “follow your heart” mean?
A) Do what you truly feel is right
B) Listen to your doctor
C) Walk behind someone
5. What does “wear your heart on your sleeve” mean?
A) Hide your feelings
B) Show your emotions
C) Put a sticker on your arm
6. If someone “takes it to heart,” what are they doing?
A) Taking something seriously
B) Giving someone a gift
C) Running fast
7. What does it mean when your “heart skips a beat”?
A) You are running too fast
B) You feel shocked or excited
C) You are bored
8. What does “in your heart of hearts” mean?
A) In your stomach
B) Deep inside, you truly believe it
C) In a card game
9. What does it mean to “cry your heart out”?
A) To yell very loudly
B) To laugh a lot
C) To cry very hard
10. If someone “has their heart set on” something, what does it mean?
A) They don’t like it
B) They really want it
C) They already have it
11. What does it mean to “put your heart into it”?
A) Give full effort
B) Take a nap
C) Clean up a mess
12. What does “with all your heart” mean?
A) Do something half-way
B) Do something with full love or effort
C) Do something quickly
13. If someone has a “heart of gold,” what are they like?
A) They are very kind
B) They are rich
C) They are strong
14. What does it mean to have a “change of heart”?
A) Get surgery
B) Change your feelings or mind
C) Fall asleep
15. If someone says “my heart goes out to you,” what are they doing?
A) Giving you a present
B) Showing sympathy or care
C) Saying goodbye forever
Answer Key
- B) Be very kind and caring
- C) Making a serious promise
- B) To share deep feelings
- A) Do what you truly feel is right
- B) Show your emotions
- A) Taking something seriously
- B) You feel shocked or excited
- B) Deep inside, you truly believe it
- C) To cry very hard
- B) They really want it
- A) Give full effort
- B) Do something with full love or effort
- A) They are very kind
- B) Change your feelings or mind
- B) Showing sympathy or care
Wrapping Up
Idioms about the heart help us say big feelings in simple ways. In American life, they are used at home, school, and even on TV. Whether you’re talking about love, sadness, or kindness, there’s usually a heart phrase that fits. These sayings help people connect and share emotions clearly.
Next time you feel happy or sad, try using one of these heart idioms. It might help you say how you feel in a better way. And if someone else uses one, now you’ll know what it means.
