Heart and Feelings Idioms

Many English idioms use the word 'heart' or relate to emotions and feelings. These expressions are very common in everyday English conversation, writing, and songs. Learning them will help you understand emotional language and speak more naturally.

Heart and Feelings Idioms

English has many idioms related to the heart and emotions. These come up constantly in everyday speech.

have a heart of gold

Meaning: to be very kind and generous

My grandmother has a heart of gold — she always helps neighbours.

have your heart set on something

Meaning: to want something very much

She has her heart set on becoming a vet.

take heart

Meaning: to feel encouraged and more confident

Take heart — you're making good progress!

lose heart

Meaning: to lose courage or confidence; to feel discouraged

Don't lose heart — everyone finds this topic difficult at first.

whole-heartedly

Meaning: with complete energy and sincerity

I wholeheartedly support this idea.

brokenhearted

Meaning: very sad because of a loss or disappointment

She was brokenhearted when her dog passed away.

wear your heart on your sleeve

Meaning: to show your feelings openly

He always wears his heart on his sleeve — you always know how he feels.

follow your heart

Meaning: to do what your feelings tell you, not what's logical

Follow your heart — choose the subject you truly love.

from the bottom of my heart

Meaning: with deep sincerity and true feeling

I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

get to the heart of something

Meaning: to find or understand the most important part of something

The investigation tried to get to the heart of the problem.

Real world: personal messages and speeches

"I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support this year." "She has her heart set on studying medicine — she won't change her mind." "Don't lose heart — the exam results aren't everything. Take heart from how far you've come."

Real world: songs, films, and social media

Song lyrics: "Follow your heart, even when it's hard..." Film review: "The lead actress wore her heart on her sleeve — every emotion felt completely genuine." Instagram caption: "So grateful for my friends — they all have hearts of gold. 💛"

Tip Heart and feelings idioms are everywhere in English: songs ("follow your heart"), speeches ("from the bottom of my heart"), motivational quotes ("don't lose heart"), and everyday conversations. These expressions help you sound natural when talking about emotions in English.

Practice Problems

What does 'have a heart of gold' mean?

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It means to be a very kind and generous person. Example: 'He volunteers every weekend — he truly has a heart of gold.'

Fill in: 'Don't __ heart — you can try again next year.'

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'lose' — 'Don't lose heart — you can try again next year.' (to feel discouraged)

Which idiom fits? 'She openly shows all her feelings to everyone.'

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'She wears her heart on her sleeve.' — She shows her emotions openly.