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Words and Their StoriesLearning Expressions with VOA
Processed with VS1Talk about stories that stir love, sympathy, longing, or a good cry.
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Source: VOA Learning English · Words and Their Stories
View original article & transcriptIf a story, film, song, or image “pulls at your heartstrings,” it creates a strong emotional response, often involving love, longing, sadness, sympathy, or compassion. Speakers also say “tug at” or “pluck at” the heartstrings; the emotion is not limited to sadness.
Cultural note: “Play on someone’s heartstrings” can imply that a person or campaign is deliberately using emotion to influence someone. Do not confuse it with the more neutral “pull at your heartstrings,” and avoid assuming that another person’s emotional reaction is trivial.
Keep exploringSome stories make us laugh; others stir a tender or painful feeling. Learn natural ways to describe those reactions and respond with empathy.
Phrase guide · 4 expressions
Original explanations and examples, created for learners. Save a card for later or hear the phrase spoken by your browser.
Describe art or experiences that create a strong feeling.
Meaning
Make someone feel a strong, tender emotion.
Tone & use
Often used for a story, film, song, image, or appeal. The feeling can be happy or sad and often involves love, longing, sympathy, or compassion.
Example
“The documentary about families reuniting after years apart really pulled at my heartstrings.”
Meaning
Stir a strong emotional response, often one of sympathy or tenderness.
Tone & use
A common variation of “pull at someone’s heartstrings.” “Pluck at” is another possible verb.
Example
“The rescue group’s gentle video tugged at viewers’ heartstrings.”
Meaning
Make someone laugh or appeal to their sense of humor.
Tone & use
A lighthearted alternative in the article’s example of a movie aiming for emotion but making the audience laugh instead.
Example
“The serious trailer tried to move us, but the actor’s unexpected line hit my funny bone.”
Notice when emotional appeals may be intentional.
Meaning
Use someone’s emotions to influence or persuade them.
Tone & use
Less common and more likely to suggest emotional manipulation than “pull at someone’s heartstrings.”
Example
“The advertisement played on customers’ heartstrings but gave little information about where donations went.”
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