The heart isn’t just a vital organ it’s a powerful symbol of emotion, love, and human connection. That’s why idioms for heart are everywhere in the English language, adding warmth, depth, and feeling to our everyday expressions.
Whether you’re describing courage, heartbreak, or kindness, these heart-themed idioms capture emotions in a way plain words simply can’t. From “a change of heart” to “wearing your heart on your sleeve,” each phrase tells a mini-story full of meaning.
In this guide, you’ll discover the most vivid and expressive idioms for heart that you can use to enrich conversations, deepen your writing, and connect with others more authentically.
Idioms for Heart
When we think of the heart, we often think of kindness, warmth, and emotions. These idioms reflect that. The first group focuses on empathy and emotional connection, love and kindness, and being true to one’s heart’s true desires.
1. Heart of gold
If someone has a heart of gold, it means they are very kind and generous. This idiom reflects generosity and compassion, showing a person’s genuine affection for others. For example, someone who volunteers to help the elderly every weekend likely has a heart of gold.
2. Follow your heart
To follow your heart means to make a decision based on feelings, not just logic. It represents heart-driven decisions and shows emotional openness. When someone chooses to become a musician despite pressure to become a doctor, they are following their heart.
3. Have a change of heart
This idiom means you have a change in feelings. If you were against an idea before but now support it, you’ve had a change of heart. This shows how human emotions are not fixed. They change as we gain more understanding.
4. Take heart
When someone says “take heart,” they are encouraging you not to give up. This idiom is about determination and resilience. It reminds us that during hard times, courage comes from the heart.
5. From the bottom of your heart
To say something from the bottom of your heart means you really mean it. It is the strongest way to express sincere expressions. You can thank someone “from the bottom of your heart” to show true gratitude.
6. A heart-to-heart
This refers to an open conversation or open-hearted conversation. When two friends share secrets and emotions, they are having a heart-to-heart. It builds deep emotional connections.
7. Cross my heart
“Cross my heart” is used to make a promise. It adds sincere emotions to a statement. When kids say “Cross my heart and hope to die,” they are seriously promising something.
8. Heart skips a beat
When something surprises or excites you, your heart skips a beat. It can be from fear, joy, or love. It reflects human vulnerability and how our body responds to emotions.
9. Wear your heart on your sleeve
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you don’t hide your feelings. People can easily see when you’re happy or sad. This shows expressing emotions openly.
10. Idioms for Heart: A Heart of Stone
While some idioms show love, others show emotional coldness or strength. These idioms reveal how the heart can also stand for toughness or heartbreak.
11. Heart in the right place
Even if someone makes mistakes, if their heart is in the right place, it means they meant well. This reflects genuine feelings and heartfelt sincerity.
12. Heart and soul
Doing something with your heart and soul means giving your all. It shows passionate emotions and full effort. Artists, for example, often pour their heart and soul into their work.
13. Broken heart
A broken heart is the pain from romantic loss. This is one of the most well-known emotional pain idioms. People often use this after a breakup or deep disappointment.
14. Heart of the matter
Getting to the heart of the matter means focusing on the most important issue. It shows depth in thinking and is often used in problem-solving.
15. A change of heart
Repeated for emphasis, this idiom reflects how people’s emotions and views evolve. It highlights the nature of emotional expression.
16. Have your heart set on
If you have your heart set on something, you really want it. It speaks to our heartfelt wishes and heart’s desire.
17. Heartfelt
This word means full of sincere emotions. A heartfelt apology or speech shows deep emotional depth.
18. Heartwarming
Something heartwarming brings joy or comfort. A story about a child saving a pet is heartwarming. It shows love, kindness, and human goodness.
19. Heart of the city
This idiom refers to the most important or central part of a city. Just like the heart in the body, the heart of the city is where everything connects.
20. Idioms for Heart: Put Your Heart Into It
This section focuses on people giving their all, being dedicated, and showing strong feelings in what they do.
21. Follow your heart
Revisited here, this idiom highlights how decisions are often guided by feelings and heartfelt sincerity, not just facts.
22. A soft heart
A soft heart means someone is very compassionate. They feel for others and show empathy and emotional connection.
23. Heart of a lion
This idiom means bravery. Someone with the heart of a lion shows great courage. It connects the heart to strength and fearlessness.
24. From the heart
To speak or act from the heart means you do it with honesty and sincere gratitude. It’s about showing your true self.
25. A heart full of love
This means someone has a lot of love to give. They show compassion, care, and warmth.
26. The heart wants what it wants
This idiom means emotions don’t always follow logic. Sometimes we desire things we know aren’t good for us. It speaks to human vulnerability.
27. Heart of a champion
The heart of a champion shows someone who never gives up. They have determined spirit and keep fighting no matter what.
28. A heavy heart
Having a heavy heart means feeling sad or burdened. This idiom shows emotional pain and deep sadness.
29. Heartstrings
When something touches your heartstrings, it moves you emotionally. Stories about family, loss, or love often tug at our heartstrings.
30. Idioms for Heart: Of a Servant
This last group includes idioms that reflect service, thankfulness, or emotional reactions.
31. Heartfelt thanks
Giving heartfelt thanks means you are truly thankful. It reflects sincere gratitude and appreciation.
32. Heart racing
When your heart is racing, you feel very excited or scared. It is the body’s response to strong emotions.
33. A heart of ice
This idiom means someone who shows no feelings. A person with a heart of ice is cold and unkind.
34. A heartwarming story
A heartwarming story is one that fills you with joy. It shows the best in human nature and love and kindness.
35. A heart’s desire
Your heart’s desire is something you want very badly. It reflects genuine affection and dreams that come from deep inside.
36. Heart in mouth
When your heart is in your mouth, you are very nervous. It shows how emotions can affect the body.
37. A heart of fire
A heart of fire means intense passionate emotions. It’s often used to describe someone deeply driven or inspired.
38. Heart of a poet
Someone with a heart of a poet feels things deeply and sees beauty in everything. They have a sensitive soul and express themselves with grace.
Sure! Here are 2 more idioms you can add to the article, keeping the same tone, style, and formatting:
39. Close to your heart
This idiom reflects how heart symbolism often represents emotional depth and sincere emotions. When something is close to your heart, it shows your genuine affection and commitment. It often relates to heartfelt emotions tied to a cause or relationship.
40. Pour your heart out
This expression showcases emotional openness and human vulnerability. It’s used when someone speaks from a place of genuine feelings and heartfelt sincerity, often during moments of emotional experiences or distress. It captures the beauty of heart-centered communication and emotional release.
Quiz on Idioms for Heart
1. What does “heart of gold” mean?
A) A generous person
B) A wealthy individual
C) An unfeeling person
Answer: A) A generous person
2. “Follow your heart” implies:
A) To ignore your feelings
B) To pursue your true desires
C) To listen to others
Answer: B) To pursue your true desires
3. Which idiom refers to emotional pain caused by a romantic loss?
A) Heart of stone
B) Broken heart
C) Heart in the right place
Answer: B) Broken heart
4. “Take heart” means:
A) To lose hope
B) To be discouraged
C) To be encouraged
Answer: C) To be encouraged
5. What does “wear your heart on your sleeve” signify?
A) To hide feelings
B) To show emotions openly
C) To be indifferent
Answer: B) To show emotions openly
6. “Heart in mouth” is used when:
A) You feel extreme happiness
B) You are extremely scared or nervous
C) You are feeling bored
Answer: B) You are extremely scared or nervous
7. What does “pour your heart out” mean?
A) To bottle up your feelings
B) To share your deepest emotions honestly
C) To make a joke
Answer: B) To share your deepest emotions honestly
Conclusion
Idioms for heart bring color, emotion, and depth to everyday language. From expressions like “have a change of heart” to “follow your heart,” these phrases reveal how deeply the heart influences our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Whether you’re writing a heartfelt message or simply want to sound more expressive, heart idioms add warmth and personality. They speak to love, courage, sorrow, and truth in ways plain words often can’t. So next time you speak from the heart, try adding an idiom or two that might just make your words unforgettable.
Read More: 42 Idioms for Hot: Expressions of Heat and Emotion
See Results: 40 Idioms for Patience: Master Calmness and Timing
Learn About: 40 Idioms for Creativity: Unlocking Expressive Language
