Englishchange of heart
Meaning: A reversal of attitude.
Example: “He was going to sell the farm, but he had a change of heart.”
Origin: Depends on an old and very widely shared localization of the will in the heart rather than the head. In Hebrew scripture, in Egyptian and Greek thought, and throughout medieval European writing, the heart is the organ of decision, allegiance, and moral orientation — not merely of feeling — which is why hardening the heart, searching the heart, and turning the heart are all consequential acts rather than emotional descriptions. English inherited that framework, and the idiom preserves the distinction precisely: a change of mind is a revised opinion, arrived at by argument and reversible by better argument, while a change of heart is a shift in what a person is disposed toward, which is why it implies something deeper, slower, and considerably harder to talk anyone into.
More English idioms
- fight tooth and nail To fight fiercely; to fight with everything you have.
- fine-tooth comb An imaginary device one uses to look for something very carefully.
- get a leg up To make a good start on some activity or project.
- get it in the neck To receive something unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment.
- get something off one's chest To disclose or talk about something that is bothering or worrying one.
- get something on the nose To do or understand something perfectly.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Χρυσό μου (Chrysó mou) My darling — a tender term of endearment.
- Sei un fenomeno You're amazing — exceptionally good at what you do.
- Eres la leche You're the best — absolutely fantastic.
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