Heart Idioms and Expressions for ESL Learners

The following English idioms and expressions use the noun heart. Each idiom or expression has a definition and two example sentences to help you  understand these common idiomatic expressions. Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with a  quiz testing idioms and expressions with heart. Break Someones Heart Definition: Hurt someone, usually romantically, or to cause some great disappointment. Angela broke Brads heart last year. He cant get over her.I think losing the job broke his heart. Cross Your Heart and Hope to Die Definition: Phrase meaning that you swear you are telling the truth. I cross my heart and hope to die. Shes coming tomorrow!Do you cross your heart and hope to die? I wont believe you otherwise. Eat Your Heart Out Definition: To be jealous or envious of someone else. Im going to New York next week. Eat your heart out!When he hears about your promotion hell eat his heart out. Follow Your Heart Definition: Do what you believe is right. I think you should follow your heart and move to Chicago.She said she had to follow her heart and marry Peter, even if her parents didnt approve. From the Bottom of My Heart Definition: Usually used in the first person, this phrase means that you are completely sincere. Youre the best player on the basketball team. I mean that from the bottom of my heart.I think you are a wonderful person. Really, I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Get at the Heart of the Matter Definition: Discuss the main issue, concern. Id like to get at the heart of the matter by discussing our marketing proposals.She didnt waste any time and got right to the heart of the matter. Be Halfhearted About Something Definition: Not do or take something completely seriously. I wish you werent so halfhearted about this new project! Get serious!She was rather halfhearted in her attempts to find a job. Have a Change of Heart Definition: Change ones mind. Fred had a change of heart and invited the young boy into his home.I wish you would have a change of heart about Tim. He really deserves some help. Have a Heart of Gold Definition: Be very trustworthy and well-meaning. Peter has a heart of gold if you give him the chance to prove himself.You can trust her. She has a heart of gold. Have a Heart of Stone Definition: Be cold, unforgiving. Shell never understand your position. She has a heart of stone.Dont expect any pity from me. I have a heart of stone. Have a Heart-to-Heart Talk Definition: Have an open and honest discussion with someone. I think its time we had a heart-to-heart talk about your grades.She called her friend Betty to have a heart-to-heart talk with her about her problems. Have Your Heart in the Right Place / Ones Heart in the Right Place Definition: To mean well, have the right intentions. Come on, you know John has his heart in the right place. He just made a mistake. Know Something by Heart /Learn Something by Heart Definition: Know something such as lines in a play, or music perfectly, to be able to perform something by memory. He knew all his lines by heart two weeks before the performance.You need to learn this piece by heart next week. Have Ones Heart Set on Something /Set Against Something Definition: Absolutely want something / Absolutely not want something. She has her heart set on winning the medal.Frank has his heart set against his promotion. Theres nothing I can do to help him. Ones Heart Misses a Beat / Ones Heart Skips a Beat Definition: To be completely surprised by something. My heart missed a beat when I heard the news that she was pregnant.She was so surprised by the announcement that her heart skipped a beat. Pour Ones Heart Out Definition: Confess or confide in someone. I poured my heart out to Tim when I discovered that I hadnt received the promotion.I wish you would pour your heart out to someone. You need to get these feelings out. Take Heart Definition: Have courage. You should take heart and try your best.Take heart. The worst is over.