35 Heart Idioms You’ll Love to Use

Heartfelt expressions are an essential part of any language, adding color and depth to our conversations. In English, there’s a treasure trove of idioms that use the word “heart” to convey emotions, feelings, and experiences.

Whether you’re talking about love, courage, or sincerity, these idioms help you express yourself in ways that are vivid and relatable. Let’s dive into 35 heart idioms that you can easily incorporate into your everyday speech.

Heart Idioms You’ll Love to Use

Table of Contents

1. Have a Change of Heart

Meaning: To change your mind or decision, especially after initially feeling the opposite way.
In a Sentence: Sarah was hesitant about adopting a dog, but after seeing the puppy, she had a change of heart and decided to bring it home.
Other Ways to Say: Reverse your decision, change your opinion, alter your stance.

2. Heart of Gold

Meaning: Someone who is kind and good-hearted.
In a Sentence: Even though he’s very successful, Jack has a heart of gold, always helping those in need.
Other Ways to Say: Kind-hearted, generous, warm-hearted.

3. Cross My Heart

Meaning: A promise that something is true, often accompanied by a gesture like crossing one’s fingers.
In a Sentence: I’ll be there on time, cross my heart!
Other Ways to Say: I swear, I promise, I guarantee.

4. Pour Your Heart Out

Meaning: To express your feelings or emotions in an open and honest way.
In a Sentence: After a tough week, I needed to pour my heart out to my best friend.
Other Ways to Say: Open up, spill your guts, share your feelings.

5. Heart and Soul

Meaning: To put all of your effort, passion, and dedication into something.
In a Sentence: She put her heart and soul into the project, making sure every detail was perfect.
Other Ways to Say: With all your might, wholeheartedly, with full commitment.

6. Heart of Stone

Meaning: A person who is emotionally cold or unfeeling.
In a Sentence: He didn’t seem to care about the situation—he really has a heart of stone.
Other Ways to Say: Cold-hearted, indifferent, unfeeling.

7. Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve

Meaning: To openly show your emotions, without hiding them.
In a Sentence: You can always tell when she’s upset; she wears her heart on her sleeve.
Other Ways to Say: Be open about your feelings, wear your emotions openly, be transparent.

8. Heart in Your Mouth

Meaning: To feel nervous or anxious, often when you are waiting for something to happen.
In a Sentence: My heart was in my mouth as I waited for the test results.
Other Ways to Say: Nervous, on edge, anxious.

9. A Change of Heart

Meaning: To change one’s mind or opinion, especially about a big decision.
In a Sentence: I was ready to quit, but after talking with my mentor, I had a change of heart.
Other Ways to Say: Reconsider, think again, rethink.

10. Have a Heart

Meaning: To show compassion or mercy.
In a Sentence: Please, have a heart—she’s just a kid!
Other Ways to Say: Show kindness, be compassionate, show mercy.

11. Heart Stopping

Meaning: Something that is so surprising or shocking it causes a moment of fear or surprise.
In a Sentence: The view from the mountaintop was absolutely heart-stopping.
Other Ways to Say: Jaw-dropping, breathtaking, stunning.

12. Cold Hearted

Meaning: Someone who lacks compassion or empathy.
In a Sentence: He was cold-hearted in his response to the tragic news.
Other Ways to Say: Heartless, cruel, unfeeling.

13. Heart to Heart

Meaning: A sincere and intimate conversation where feelings are shared openly.
In a Sentence: We had a heart-to-heart last night, and it really helped clear the air.
Other Ways to Say: Honest talk, candid conversation, open dialogue.

14. With All Your Heart

Meaning: To do something with full enthusiasm and commitment.
In a Sentence: She danced with all her heart, impressing everyone in the audience.
Other Ways to Say: Wholeheartedly, with great passion, with full dedication.

15. A Heart’s Desire

Meaning: Something you deeply wish for or long for.
In a Sentence: Traveling the world has always been my heart’s desire.
Other Ways to Say: Dream, wish, goal.

16. Heart of the Matter

Meaning: The most important or essential point of a matter.
In a Sentence: Let’s skip the small talk and get to the heart of the matter.
Other Ways to Say: Core issue, main point, essential part.

17. Put Your Heart Into It

Meaning: To make a significant effort or commit emotionally to something.
In a Sentence: He really put his heart into it, and the result was fantastic.
Other Ways to Say: Give it your all, dedicate yourself, fully commit.

18. Heart Breaker

Meaning: Someone who causes emotional pain to others, usually through romantic rejection.
In a Sentence: She was known as the heartbreaker of the school, never staying with anyone for long.
Other Ways to Say: Love rat, heartthrob, player.

19. Follow Your Heart

Meaning: To act according to your feelings or emotions, especially in making decisions.
In a Sentence: When faced with a tough choice, I always try to follow my heart.
Other Ways to Say: Trust your instincts, go with your gut, listen to your feelings.

20. From the Bottom of My Heart

Meaning: To express genuine and heartfelt feelings, usually of gratitude or affection.
In a Sentence: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all your help.
Other Ways to Say: Sincerely, truly, with all my heart.

21. Heart in the Right Place

Meaning: To be a good person, even if your actions or words aren’t always perfect.
In a Sentence: He may have made a mistake, but his heart is in the right place.
Other Ways to Say: Well-meaning, good intentions, kind-hearted.

22. Heart to the Core

Meaning: To be deeply affected or moved by something.
In a Sentence: The movie was so emotional, it touched me to the core of my heart.
Other Ways to Say: Deeply moved, profoundly affected, deeply emotional.

23. Follow Your Heart’s Desire

Meaning: To pursue what you truly want or love.
In a Sentence: She followed her heart’s desire and became a professional dancer.
Other Ways to Say: Chase your dreams, pursue your passion, go after your goals.

24. Have a Heavy Heart

Meaning: To feel sad or burdened by something.
In a Sentence: I have a heavy heart after hearing the news about my old friend.
Other Ways to Say: Feel down, be sorrowful, feel burdened.

25. A Heart’s a Heart

Meaning: True emotions or feelings can’t be hidden, no matter what.
In a Sentence: She’s acting tough, but a heart’s a heart—she’s just as worried as the rest of us.
Other Ways to Say: True feelings, inner emotions, genuine sentiment.

26. Take Something to Heart

Meaning: To be deeply affected by something, especially criticism or advice.
In a Sentence: Don’t take his words to heart; he didn’t mean to upset you.
Other Ways to Say: Be hurt by, feel deeply, take personally.

27. Heartwarming

Meaning: Something that makes you feel happy, touched, or comforted.
In a Sentence: The surprise party was so heartwarming, I almost cried.
Other Ways to Say: Uplifting, touching, moving.

28. Eat Your Heart Out

Meaning: To feel very jealous or envious of someone.
In a Sentence: She got the promotion you wanted? Well, eat your heart out!
Other Ways to Say: Be envious, green with envy, feel jealous.

29. A Change of Heart

Meaning: To suddenly change your opinion or feelings about something.
In a Sentence: After hearing her side of the story, I had a change of heart.
Other Ways to Say: Rethink, reverse your opinion, reconsider.

30. Heartbreaker

Meaning: A person who causes emotional pain, usually through romantic rejection.
In a Sentence: He’s such a heartbreaker, always leaving people with broken hearts.
Other Ways to Say: Love rat, heart-throb, player.

31. Put Your Heart Into It

Meaning: To give your full effort or energy to something.
In a Sentence: She really put her heart into it, and it showed in the beautiful artwork she created.
Other Ways to Say: Go all in, put all your effort, give your best.

32. In a Heartbeat

Meaning: Very quickly or without hesitation.
In a Sentence: If you asked me to go on that adventure, I’d join you in a heartbeat!
Other Ways to Say: Instantly, right away, without a second thought.

33. From the Bottom of My Heart

Meaning: To express something sincerely and with deep emotion.
In a Sentence: I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness.
Other Ways to Say: With sincere gratitude, truly, wholeheartedly.

34. Heart-to-Heart Talk

Meaning: A deep, sincere conversation where personal feelings are shared.
In a Sentence: We had a heart-to-heart talk about our future and it helped us understand each other better.
Other Ways to Say: Open conversation, candid discussion, honest chat.

35. Heart’s Content

Meaning: To be completely satisfied or pleased with something.
In a Sentence: She stayed at the party until she was content with the evening’s fun, enjoying it to her heart’s content.
Other Ways to Say: Fully satisfied, completely happy, at peace.

MCQs Quiz on Heart Idioms You’ll Love to Use

1. What does the idiom “Heart in the Right Place” mean?

A) Being a bad person but trying to change
B) Being a good person despite imperfect actions
C) Having good intentions but failing to act
D) Acting kindly for personal gain

Answer: B) Being a good person despite imperfect actions

2. What does the idiom “Heart to the Core” describe?

A) Feeling deep sympathy for someone
B) Being deeply affected or moved by something
C) Having a cold and distant heart
D) Being emotionally indifferent

Answer: B) Being deeply affected or moved by something

3. What does “Follow Your Heart’s Desire” mean?

A) To do something because it is easy
B) To pursue what you truly want or love
C) To ignore others’ opinions
D) To listen to every impulse without thinking

Answer: B) To pursue what you truly want or love

4. What does “Have a Heavy Heart” mean?

A) Feeling light and happy
B) Feeling sad or burdened
C) Feeling excited about something
D) Feeling physically tired

Answer: B) Feeling sad or burdened

5. What does the phrase “A Heart’s a Heart” mean?

A) Feelings can easily be hidden
B) True emotions can’t be hidden, no matter what
C) People can fake their emotions
D) Only superficial emotions exist

Answer: B) True emotions can’t be hidden, no matter what

6. What does the idiom “Take Something to Heart” mean?

A) To ignore something completely
B) To be deeply affected by something, especially criticism or advice
C) To act recklessly without thinking
D) To not care about someone’s opinion

Answer: B) To be deeply affected by something, especially criticism or advice

7. What does “Heartwarming” refer to?

A) Something that makes you feel cold
B) Something that makes you feel happy, touched, or comforted
C) Something that makes you feel sad
D) Something that makes you feel confused

Answer: B) Something that makes you feel happy, touched, or comforted

8. What does the idiom “Eat Your Heart Out” mean?

A) To feel happy for someone
B) To feel very jealous or envious of someone
C) To eat something delicious
D) To feel proud of an achievement

Answer: B) To feel very jealous or envious of someone

9. What does “A Change of Heart” refer to?

A) A change in physical health
B) A sudden change of opinion or feelings
C) A medical emergency
D) A change in appearance

Answer: B) A sudden change of opinion or feelings

10. What does “Heartbreaker” mean?

A) Someone who spreads love
B) A person who causes emotional pain, usually through romantic rejection
C) A person who is extremely kind
D) A person who always tells the truth

Answer: B) A person who causes emotional pain, usually through romantic rejection

11. What does the phrase “Put Your Heart Into It” mean?

A) To do something casually
B) To give your full effort or energy to something
C) To do something without much thought
D) To give up easily

Answer: B) To give your full effort or energy to something

12. What does “In a Heartbeat” mean?

A) Slowly and deliberately
B) Very quickly or without hesitation
C) In a relaxed and calm manner
D) With a lot of thought

Answer: B) Very quickly or without hesitation

13. What does “From the Bottom of My Heart” mean?

A) Expressing something with sincerity and deep emotion
B) Saying something casually
C) Expressing anger
D) Saying something without any meaning

Answer: A) Expressing something with sincerity and deep emotion

14. What does the phrase “Heart-to-Heart Talk” mean?

A) A superficial conversation
B) A deep, sincere conversation where personal feelings are shared
C) A conversation about business
D) A conversation with no emotional connection

Answer: B) A deep, sincere conversation where personal feelings are shared

15. What does “Heart’s Content” mean?

A) To be completely dissatisfied with something
B) To be completely satisfied or pleased with something
C) To feel confused
D) To feel indifferent

Answer: B) To be completely satisfied or pleased with something

Final Words

Heart idioms carry deep meaning and emotion. They help express feelings we often struggle to say. From “heart in the right place” to “heartbreaker,” each idiom reveals something unique. These expressions enrich our language, making it more vivid and relatable.

Understanding these heart idioms helps us communicate better. They offer creative ways to show emotions. “Heart” idioms truly reflect our inner feelings and thoughts. Using them in conversation can make your speech more impactful.

James tony