Somebody’s heart misses a beat
phrase
To feel sudden shock or surprise.
When she heard the news, her heart missed a beat.
Often appears as...
- heart misses a beat in shock
- heart misses a beat in surprise
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To feel a strong affection or love.
Every time she sees him, her heart misses a beat.
Often appears as...
- heart misses a beat in love
- heart misses a beat in affection
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To feel sudden shock or surprise.
When she heard the news, her heart missed a beat.
Often appears as...
- heart misses a beat in shock
- heart misses a beat in surprise
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To feel a strong affection or love.
Every time she sees him, her heart misses a beat.
Often appears as...
- heart misses a beat in love
- heart misses a beat in affection
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Reaction
Used to describe a physical response to strong emotions like fear or happiness.
During the horror movie, my heart missed a beat at every jump scare.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Literal
It's a metaphor; the heart doesn't actually skip a beat, it expresses a strong emotion.
As the roller coaster descended, her heart missed a beat.
Pro Tip 3/3Suddenness
Emphasizes a quick, almost instant reaction to something unexpected.
His heart missed a beat when the surprise party yelled 'Surprise!'
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