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a heavy heart
/ə ˈhɛvi hɑrt/
sadness or reluctance
With a heavy heart, she said goodbye to her childhood home.
She said goodbye to her childhood home while feeling sad or reluctant.
literary
A feeling of deep sadness or reluctance, often when facing a difficult or unwelcome situation.
He left the hospital with a heavy heart, knowing his father wouldn't recover.
He left the hospital feeling sad because he knew his father wouldn't recover.
She accepted the job with a heavy heart, torn between opportunity and loyalty to her current team.
She accepted the job reluctantly, feeling conflicted between opportunity and loyalty.
Commonly used in emotional or reflective contexts, such as farewells, difficult decisions, or moments of loss.
Collocations
with a heavy heartfeeling sad while doing somethingcarry a heavy heartto feel persistent sadness
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
When to use 'a heavy heart'
Use this phrase when describing a situation where someone feels reluctant, sad, or burdened by a decision or event. It’s often used in contexts like farewells, losses, or difficult choices.
Gold Rule
Avoid literal interpretation
The phrase is metaphorical—it doesn’t refer to physical weight. Focus on the emotional context.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'heavy' (Old English 'hefig', meaning 'weighty' or 'burdensome') and 'heart' (Old English 'heorte', referring to the physical organ and metaphorically to emotions). The metaphor of emotional weight dates back to at least the 14th century in Middle English literature, where physical heaviness symbolized emotional burden.
Usage Notes
Used to emphasize the emotional toll of a situation. Often appears in literature, poetry, or formal speech to convey deep feeling. Avoid using in casual conversation unless mimicking a literary style.
Word Breakdown
heavy
burdensome or oppressive in feeling
adjectiveheart
the seat of emotions or feelings
nounEnglish Dictionary