Learn
Watch & LearnLearning Paths
Daily EnglishSocial EnglishProfessional EnglishVOA English
Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Recognize expressions for emotional openness, visible feelings, and anxiety before an important moment.
VOA source audio
Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptThis episode contains many heart phrases, including a few treated on a separate page already. Here we focus on a painful romantic disappointment, a request for sympathy, and a vivid way to describe nervous anticipation.
Cultural note: Heart idioms are metaphors, not reliable judgments about a person’s emotional capacity. “Have a heart” can sound like pressure, and “wear your heart on your sleeve” can imply criticism; ask what support someone wants rather than assuming.
Keep exploringHeart expressions can describe sadness, ask for compassion, or show how strongly someone feels.
Phrase guide · 3 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
A familiar metaphor for emotional pain after disappointment or loss.
Meaning
Deep sadness, especially after a romantic relationship ends or love is not returned.
Tone & use
A metaphor for emotional pain, not a medical condition. Do not assume someone feels it or minimize their experience.
Example
“After the relationship ended, he took time with friends and family to recover from a broken heart.”
Ask someone to respond with compassion.
Meaning
Show kindness or sympathy toward someone.
Tone & use
Often an urgent request and can sound accusatory. A gentler request is “Could you please understand how this affects me?”
Example
“Have a heart—the new volunteer is learning the process, so give her time to finish.”
Describe a moment when worry or excitement feels intense.
Meaning
Feel very nervous or frightened while waiting for an important outcome.
Tone & use
Informal and vivid. It describes a feeling, not a physical symptom.
Example
“My heart was in my mouth as I waited for the scholarship interview result.”
Knowledge check
Choose the expression that best fits each situation.
Try it · Choose the best expression
1 of 3