heart of stone: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘heart of stone’ mean?
The idiom "heart of stone" refers to someone who is emotionally cold and unfeeling, lacking compassion or empathy.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "in cold blood" means to do something in a ruthless and calculated manner, without any remorse or emotion. It is often used to describe a cruel or violent act that is done deliberately and without any compassion.
The idiom "ice queen" refers to a woman who is perceived as cold, detached, and unemotional, often controlling her emotions and interactions with others. This term is typically used to describe someone who is aloof, distant, or unapproachable in social or professional settings.
The idiom "ice maiden" refers to a person, typically a woman, who appears very cold and unemotional, lacking warmth and empathy in their interactions with others.
The idiom "heart-shattering" refers to something extremely painful or devastating emotionally, causing great sorrow or grief.
The idiom "heart of hearts" refers to one's deepest and truest emotions or beliefs.
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.
The idiom "heart of gold" refers to a person who is exceptionally kind, generous, and compassionate. They possess a warm and selfless nature, always willing to help others without expecting anything in return.
The idiom "heart of glass" is used to describe someone who is emotionally fragile or sensitive, often referring to someone who is easily hurt or vulnerable.
The idiom "have one's heart in" means to be passionately or deeply committed or invested in something or someone.
The idiom "have a heart" means to show compassion, empathy, or understanding towards someone or to be kind and forgiving. It is often used to encourage someone to be less strict or harsh in their judgment or actions.
The idiom "have a heart" is a commonly used phrase in the English language. It is often used to implore someone to show empathy or understanding towards a particular situation or individual.
The Mysterious Core
The idiom "heart of glass" is another commonly used phrase in the English language that is related to the idea of a "heart of stone."
This idiom is used to describe someone who is emotionally fragile or sensitive. Just as glass is delicate and can easily break, a person with a "heart of glass" is easily hurt or affected by emotional experiences. They may be more prone to vulnerability and may have a hard time recovering from emotional pain.
"Heart of glass" is often used to caution against being too vulnerable or sensitive in relationships or other emotional situations. It suggests that being too fragile emotionally can leave a person at risk of getting hurt.
While the idiom "heart of glass" is distinct from "heart of stone," they both convey the idea of emotional sensitivity and vulnerability in different ways. "Heart of glass" emphasizes the fragility and breakability of emotions, while "heart of stone" emphasizes the lack of empathy or compassion.
The idiom "cold fish" is another phrase that can be related to the concept of a "heart of stone."
This idiom is used to describe someone who is emotionally distant or unresponsive. A person who is considered a "cold fish" may appear aloof or indifferent to the emotions or needs of others. They may have difficulty forming emotional connections or showing warmth in their interactions.
Similar to the concept of a "heart of stone," a "cold fish" lacks emotional sensitivity or empathy. However, while a "heart of stone" implies a complete absence of emotion, a "cold fish" suggests a lack of emotional warmth or responsiveness.
"heart of hearts" is yet another phrase that is related to the idea of a "heart of stone."
This idiom is used to describe someone's innermost feelings or true intentions. It refers to the deepest part of a person's heart, where their true feelings lie. When someone speaks about their "heart of hearts," they are revealing their most authentic emotions or desires.
While "heart of stone" and "heart of hearts" may seem to have contrasting meanings, they both involve the concept of emotions and the innermost part of a person. "Heart of stone" suggests emotional hardness or insensitivity, while "heart of hearts" reveals the true emotions that may be hidden beneath that hardness.
The idiom "harden someone's heart" is closely tied to the concept of a "heart of stone."
This phrase is used to describe the act of making someone less compassionate or sympathetic. When someone's heart is hardened, they become less receptive to the feelings or needs of others. It implies a deliberate choice to become less emotionally sensitive or responsive.
In some cases, the idiom "harden someone's heart" can be used to refer to the process of becoming more emotionally guarded or protective. It suggests a self-protective mechanism where someone fortifies their emotions to avoid getting hurt.
The phrase "heart of stone" is deeply ingrained in the English language and reflects the human experience of emotional hardness or insensitivity. Idioms like "heart of glass," "cold fish," "heart of hearts," and "harden someone's heart" provide additional nuances and perspectives on the complexities of emotions and human nature.
As language evolves, new idioms and expressions will continue to emerge, offering new insights and perspectives on the human experience. However, the idioms related to the concept of a "heart of stone" remind us of the timeless themes of emotional sensitivity, vulnerability, and the capacity for compassion in the face of emotional hardship.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "heart of stone" can be used in a sentence:
- Despite the emotional pleas from her family, she showed no remorse and had a heart of stone.
- He broke her heart once before, and now she's cautious with love, guarding her heart with a stone.
- Even in the face of tragedy, the lawyer maintained a heart of stone, unaffected by the heartbreaking stories.
More "Emotion" idioms
