Tear at your heart
verb phrase
To cause someone to feel strong emotions, usually sadness or sympathy.
The story of the lost little girl really tears at your heart.
Often appears as...
- story tears at your heart
- situation tears at your heart
verb phrase
To deeply distress or pain someone emotionally.
His cruelty towards her tore at my heart.
Often appears as...
- tears at my heart
- tears at her heart
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb phrase
To cause a strong emotional response due to a personal connection or shared experience.
Seeing his struggle tore at her heart as she remembered her own trials.
Often appears as...
- memories tear at your heart
- past tears at your heart
verb phrase
To cause someone to feel strong emotions, usually sadness or sympathy.
The story of the lost little girl really tears at your heart.
Often appears as...
- story tears at your heart
- situation tears at your heart
verb phrase
To deeply distress or pain someone emotionally.
His cruelty towards her tore at my heart.
Often appears as...
- tears at my heart
- tears at her heart
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb phrase
To cause a strong emotional response due to a personal connection or shared experience.
Seeing his struggle tore at her heart as she remembered her own trials.
Often appears as...
- memories tear at your heart
- past tears at your heart
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Use it to express how something affects you or others emotionally, often by sadness.
The documentary about climate change tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Trigger
Ideal for describing events or stories that you expect to make others feel empathy.
The nurse's tale of the aging veteran tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative and does not describe physical pain but deep emotional response.
The sight of the abandoned pets tore at my heart.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Use it to express how something affects you or others emotionally, often by sadness.
The documentary about climate change tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Trigger
Ideal for describing events or stories that you expect to make others feel empathy.
The nurse's tale of the aging veteran tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative and does not describe physical pain but deep emotional response.
The sight of the abandoned pets tore at my heart.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Impact
Use it to express how something affects you or others emotionally, often by sadness.
The documentary about climate change tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 2/3Empathy Trigger
Ideal for describing events or stories that you expect to make others feel empathy.
The nurse's tale of the aging veteran tears at your heart.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Literal
The phrase is figurative and does not describe physical pain but deep emotional response.
The sight of the abandoned pets tore at my heart.
Never forget "Tear at your heart"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension