Somebody’s heart misses a beat

usgb
phrase

To feel sudden shock or surprise.

When she heard the news, her heart missed a beat.
Visual representation of "somebody’s heart misses a beat" - To feel sudden shock or surprise.

Often appears as...

  • heart misses a beat in shock
  • heart misses a beat in surprise

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "somebody’s heart misses a beat"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Emotional Reaction

Used to describe a physical response to strong emotions like fear or happiness.

Illustration for Emotional Reaction
During the horror movie, my heart missed a beat at every jump scare.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Not Literal

It's a metaphor; the heart doesn't actually skip a beat, it expresses a strong emotion.

Illustration for Not Literal
As the roller coaster descended, her heart missed a beat.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Suddenness

Emphasizes a quick, almost instant reaction to something unexpected.

Illustration for Suddenness
His heart missed a beat when the surprise party yelled 'Surprise!'
Visual representation of the word "Somebody’s heart misses a beat"

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