Heartstrings
noun
Feelings of compassion, tenderness, or love.
The story about the lost puppy tugged at her heartstrings.
Often appears as...
- tug at one's heartstrings
- pull at one's heartstrings
Usage tips
Idiomatic
noun
Feelings of compassion, tenderness, or love.
The story about the lost puppy tugged at her heartstrings.
Often appears as...
- tug at one's heartstrings
- pull at one's heartstrings
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Strings
Heartstrings are not physical strings, but a metaphor for deep emotional feelings.
The charity advert played on the audience's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
Use 'heartstrings' to express a strong emotional effect, often a mix of melancholy and warmth.
The reunion of the long-lost siblings pulled at everyone's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Use
'Heartstrings' often appears in idioms where emotions are stirred or affected deeply.
The old man's heartfelt speech certainly tugged at our heartstrings.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Strings
Heartstrings are not physical strings, but a metaphor for deep emotional feelings.
The charity advert played on the audience's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
Use 'heartstrings' to express a strong emotional effect, often a mix of melancholy and warmth.
The reunion of the long-lost siblings pulled at everyone's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Use
'Heartstrings' often appears in idioms where emotions are stirred or affected deeply.
The old man's heartfelt speech certainly tugged at our heartstrings.
Pro Tip 1/3Metaphorical Strings
Heartstrings are not physical strings, but a metaphor for deep emotional feelings.
The charity advert played on the audience's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 2/3Emotional Impact
Use 'heartstrings' to express a strong emotional effect, often a mix of melancholy and warmth.
The reunion of the long-lost siblings pulled at everyone's heartstrings.
Pro Tip 3/3Idiomatic Use
'Heartstrings' often appears in idioms where emotions are stirred or affected deeply.
The old man's heartfelt speech certainly tugged at our heartstrings.
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Video examples
"To This Day" ... for...
as if broken bones hurt more than the names we got called, and we got called them all. So we grew up believing no one would ever fall in love with us, that we'd be lonely forever, that we'd never meet someone to make us feel like the sun was something they built for us in their toolshed. So broken heartstrings bled the blues,
Video examples
Orcas Kill, But Not Just...
Everyone's seen sea lions and they have these great big, dark eyes. They really pull on your heartstrings because they have, it would appear, so many similarities to us as human beings. They certainly are, they do share a common ancestor with us.
Video examples
The Easy Way to Break In...
on the lookout for anyone who shows up at your front door barring distractions being overly helpful or pulling on your heartstrings you just might prevent a burglary
Video examples
"To This Day" ... for...
as if broken bones hurt more than the names we got called, and we got called them all. So we grew up believing no one would ever fall in love with us, that we'd be lonely forever, that we'd never meet someone to make us feel like the sun was something they built for us in their toolshed. So broken heartstrings bled the blues,
Video examples
Orcas Kill, But Not Just...
Everyone's seen sea lions and they have these great big, dark eyes. They really pull on your heartstrings because they have, it would appear, so many similarities to us as human beings. They certainly are, they do share a common ancestor with us.
Video examples
The Easy Way to Break In...
on the lookout for anyone who shows up at your front door barring distractions being overly helpful or pulling on your heartstrings you just might prevent a burglary
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Piers Corbyn
English Scientist
Polar bears did very well in the warmer times. They didn't die out at all; they didn't die out in the last 10,000 years, nor during the previous interglacial, nor the one before that. So, they're just used as a deceitful heartthrob; you know, to pluck your heartstrings because the polar bears might die out.
Quote examples
Joe Morton
American Actor
Hollywood has successfully produced many films framed by anti-racist or pro-integrationist story lines. I'm going to guess that since 'Gone With The Wind,' Hollywood realized films about racism and segregation pull at the heartstrings of everyone and hopefully serve to purge a sense of guilt.
Quote examples
Ella Henderson
British Musician
I have never been in a serious relationship and never had a break-up, so I can't tug on my heartstrings that way. But whenever I experience a strong emotion in life, I definitely have to throw myself into my songwriting. It is very therapeutic.
Quote examples
Adam Grant
American Author
When you're good at controlling your own emotions, you can disguise your true feelings. When you know what others are feeling, you can tug at their heartstrings and motivate them to act against their own best interests.
Quote examples
Madalsa Sharma
Rupaliji and I share a sweet bond offscreen and have become good friends. On the other hand, the complicated yet beautiful bond between Kavya and Anupamaa is penned so well that it tugs at your heartstrings.
Quote examples
Amanda Donohoe
English Actress
I loved living in Hollywood - and the weather there was just fantastic - but there is something about rural England, and especially Suffolk and Norfolk, that pulls at my heartstrings.
Quote examples
Scott Porter
American Actor
The great thing about 'Friday Night Lights,' unlike so many other shows and movies, is that it doesn't take the obvious beats to pull your heartstrings or manipulate you.
Quote examples
Angela Kinsey
American Actress
I have a special place in my heart for working moms - it's a constant pull on your heartstrings.
Quote examples
Dennis Gabor
Hungarian Scientist
Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.
Quote examples
Steven Seagal
American Actor
I want to make a movie that can grab people by the heartstrings.
Quote examples
Piers Corbyn
English Scientist
Polar bears did very well in the warmer times. They didn't die out at all; they didn't die out in the last 10,000 years, nor during the previous interglacial, nor the one before that. So, they're just used as a deceitful heartthrob; you know, to pluck your heartstrings because the polar bears might die out.
Quote examples
Joe Morton
American Actor
Hollywood has successfully produced many films framed by anti-racist or pro-integrationist story lines. I'm going to guess that since 'Gone With The Wind,' Hollywood realized films about racism and segregation pull at the heartstrings of everyone and hopefully serve to purge a sense of guilt.
Quote examples
Ella Henderson
British Musician
I have never been in a serious relationship and never had a break-up, so I can't tug on my heartstrings that way. But whenever I experience a strong emotion in life, I definitely have to throw myself into my songwriting. It is very therapeutic.
Quote examples
Adam Grant
American Author
When you're good at controlling your own emotions, you can disguise your true feelings. When you know what others are feeling, you can tug at their heartstrings and motivate them to act against their own best interests.
Quote examples
Madalsa Sharma
Rupaliji and I share a sweet bond offscreen and have become good friends. On the other hand, the complicated yet beautiful bond between Kavya and Anupamaa is penned so well that it tugs at your heartstrings.
Quote examples
Amanda Donohoe
English Actress
I loved living in Hollywood - and the weather there was just fantastic - but there is something about rural England, and especially Suffolk and Norfolk, that pulls at my heartstrings.
Quote examples
Scott Porter
American Actor
The great thing about 'Friday Night Lights,' unlike so many other shows and movies, is that it doesn't take the obvious beats to pull your heartstrings or manipulate you.
Quote examples
Angela Kinsey
American Actress
I have a special place in my heart for working moms - it's a constant pull on your heartstrings.
Quote examples
Dennis Gabor
Hungarian Scientist
Poetry is plucking at the heartstrings, and making music with them.
Quote examples
Steven Seagal
American Actor
I want to make a movie that can grab people by the heartstrings.
Example 1 of 10
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