Somebody’s heart leaps

phrase

Someone suddenly feels happy or excited due to a pleasant surprise or unexpected good news.

When she received the letter of acceptance from the university, her heart leaped with joy.

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Use when describing a reaction to something unexpectedly joyful or exciting.

His heart leaped when he found the lost wedding ring.

Pro Tip 2/3

It's a metaphorical expression; it doesn't mean the heart actually jumps.

Her heart leaped, not with fear, but because she had won the prize.

Pro Tip 3/3

Conveys a strong emotional response, often used in narrative to show character excitement.

Every time he heard her voice, his heart leaped with anticipation.

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