noun
heartstrings
HAHTST-rihngz
noun
1
A person's deepest emotions, especially feelings of love or compassion.
"The charity's advert about stray dogs really tugged at people's heartstrings."
How to Use Heartstrings
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishYour innermost, most tender emotions.
Memory tip
Almost always used in the phrase "tug/pull at someone's heartstrings."
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
tug at the heartstrings
pull on the heartstrings
Word Forms
heartstring singular
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The charity's advert about stray dogs really tugged at people's _____.
Etymology
Originally an anatomical term for the tendons imagined to hold the heart in place; it later became a poetic way to describe deep emotion, as in "tugging at the heartstrings."