怀恨在心

huái hèn zài xīn◆idiom
to bear a grudge

他被解雇后一直怀恨在心。

He has been holding a grudge ever since he was fired.

◆ What It Really Means
To harbor deep-seated resentment or ill will toward someone due to past wrongdoing or perceived injustice.
Literal Meaning
To harbor hate in one's heart.
Literal Breakdown
怀to harbor+恨hate+在in+心heart
◇ Mental Image
The imagery evokes a heart burdened with hatred, symbolizing the emotional weight of unresolved resentment.
◈ When to Use
A colleague who was passed over for a promotion might say, 'I bear a grudge against my boss for years,' reflecting deep-seated resentment affecting their professional relationship.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the cultural value of emotional depth and the long-term impact of perceived injustices in Chinese society.
informal

To harbor resentment or ill will toward someone due to past wrongdoing or perceived injustice.

她怀恨在心，因为同事抢走了她的项目。

She bears a grudge because her colleague stole her project.

他怀恨在心多年，终于决定报复。

He nursed a grudge for years before finally deciding to take revenge.

This idiom is commonly used to describe deep-seated resentment that persists over time.

Collocations

怀恨在心多年to bear a grudge for years怀恨在心不忘to bear a grudge and never forget

Related Phrases

怀恨在心不忘idiom
to bear a grudge and never forget
心怀怨恨phrase
to harbor resentment

Pro Tip

Emotional Depth

This idiom emphasizes the persistence of resentment, often over a long period.

Gold Rule

Contextual Use

Use this idiom when describing deep-seated resentment that affects behavior or decisions.

Word Origin

The idiom combines the characters for 'harbor' (怀), 'hate' (恨), 'in' (在), and 'heart' (心), emphasizing the emotional depth of resentment.

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in contexts where someone has been wronged and continues to feel bitter or vengeful. It can describe personal, professional, or even historical grudges.

Word Breakdown

怀
to harbor
root
+
恨
hate
root
+
在
in
root
+
心
heart
root
汉英词典