heart of hearts: Idiom Meaning and Origin

What does ‘heart of hearts’ mean?

The idiom "heart of hearts" refers to one's deepest and truest emotions or beliefs.

Idiom Explorer

Exploring Our Innermost Depths

The idiom heart of hearts is used to express a deep, genuine feeling or belief that is hidden or kept to oneself. It describes a person's truest or most sincere thoughts and emotions. The phrase can be traced back to ancient Greek and Roman beliefs about the human heart as the seat of emotions and the core of one's being.

Heart of hearts is often associated with the idiom "have one's heart in." This idiom means to be fully committed or deeply invested in something. When someone has their heart in a project or task, it means they are passionate and dedicated to its success. In their heart of hearts, they truly believe in and care about what they are doing.

The truest hearts hold deep, innermost convictions.

In addition, heart of hearts is related to the idiom "deep down." This phrase is used to describe a hidden or suppressed feeling or belief that someone may not openly express. When someone knows something deep down, it means they have a strong, inner conviction or knowledge that may not be immediately evident to others. It is what they truly believe in their heart of hearts.

Another related idiom is "all heart," which means to be completely sincere or genuine. When someone is all heart, it means they act or speak from a place of true, heartfelt emotion. They are not putting on a facade or pretending to feel a certain way. They are expressing their truest feelings from their heart of hearts.

Lastly, heart of hearts is connected to the idiom "have one's heart in the right place." This phrase is used to describe someone who has good intentions, even if they may not always act perfectly. When someone's heart is in the right place, it means they genuinely care about others and want to do what is best for them. They may make mistakes or have flaws, but their core values and intentions are sincere and well-meaning.

The idiom heart of hearts has a long history and is deeply rooted in ancient beliefs about the heart and its role in human emotions. It continues to be a powerful expression of genuine and hidden feelings. When someone has their heart in something, knows something deep down, is all heart, or has their heart in the right place, they are tapping into the depths of their truest self and expressing their heart of hearts.

Example usage

Examples of how the idiom *heart of hearts* can be used in a sentence:

1. She knew, in her heart of hearts, that the decision was the right one.

2. He confessed to his friend, in his heart of hearts, that he was in love with her.

3. In my heart of hearts, I believe that she will succeed in her new job.

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