English expressions with “heart”. Vocabulary B2/C1

Our heart is one of the most important organs in our body. But what is the meaning of heart in idioms? Let us look at 4 phrases with the word heart.

1. In a heartbeat

Your heart beats approximately every second for the whole of your life. That’s a lot of heartbeats! But what do we mean when we say “in a heartbeat”?

“When my best friend needs help, I am there in a heartbeat.”

Does that mean that my heart beats when my best friend needs my help? No, my heart beats every day. What I am saying is that I am there to be by my friend immediately, without hesitation.

2. A change of heart

This expression does not mean that you have a heart transplant. If you have a change of heart, you have changed your opinion.

“I really wanted to travel the world last year, but then I had a change of heart and decided to stay home.”

You didn’t stay home because you had an operation. You stayed home because you changed your decision.

3. To have a heart of gold

A doctor will tell you that it would be impossible to live you had a heart of gold. So, why do we say that someone has a heart of gold? We are certainly not telling them that they need to see a doctor urgently.

If you have a heart of gold, it means that you are generous, you are a lovely person. Take it as a compliment if someone says that you have a heart of gold.

4. My heart skipped a beat

If your grandmother’s heart has an irregular heartbeat, that is dangerous. But if someone healthy says that their heart skipped (missed) a beat, they are saying that they became emotional.

“When I saw my ex-boyfriend/girlfriend last night, my heart skipped a beat.”

That means that you became emotional when you saw your ex. You are still in love with them. Aahhhhh, love!!!!