heart and soul

1. The most important, basic, or fundamental essence or elements of an issue, problem, or matter at hand. Thank you all for attending this staff meeting. Before we get to the heart and soul of the matter, I'd like to assure each of you that your job is secure. Here's the heart and soul of the matter, Bill: we feel you've not been meeting the standards of work that we should be expecting of you in recent weeks. The heart and soul of the issue is that these tax hikes will overburden the middle class—that's why we're here protesting!

2. The utmost of one's energy, enthusiasm, and determination. We've put our hearts and souls into developing a truly revolutionary way of staying in touch with loved ones. I'm so sorry that you lost the restaurant, Jim. I know you put your heart and soul into it. What a gut-wrenching loss for the young athlete, who poured her heart and soul into this match.

See also: and, heart, soul

heart and soul

Fig. the central core [of someone or something]. Now we are getting to the heart and soul of the matter. This feature is the heart and soul of my invention.

See also: and, heart, soul

heart and soul

The entirety of one's energies or affections. For example, He put heart and soul into his music. [Late 1700s]

See also: and, heart, soul

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

heart and soul

great energy and enthusiasm.

1977 Michael Frayn Alphabetical Order She hasn't been here long, I know. But she's put her whole heart and soul into this place.

See also: and, heart, soul

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

(your) heart and ˈsoul

with a lot of energy and enthusiasm: She puts her heart and soul into the job. ♢ A dancer must throw herself heart and soul into every performance.

See also: and, heart, soul

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

heart and soul

Completely; entirely.

See also: and, heart, soul

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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References in periodicals archive

About 70 city officials, Heart and Soul Campaign members, Inco representatives and hospital officials were on hand to witness the historic announcement.

Inco bolsters hospital campaign by $2m. (Special Report: Sudbury)

"Heart and Soul," in other words, was not just another one of those group shows that are frequently staged in ad hoc spaces: It was its own creature and quietly made its own demands.

"HEART AND SOUL"

Hildegard went so far as to say that female flesh, the bodily humanity Christ assumed from Mary, had redeemed the world.(49) Saint Catherine said of Mary's experience at Calvary, "Oh sweetest love, which was the sword that pierced the heart and soul of the mother: The Son was broken in body, and the mother similarly, for his flesh was from her.

Impassioned mother or passive icon: the virgin's role in late medieval and early modern passion sermons

Heart and Soul is written and orchestrated by the show's producers, Indra Nathaniel and Maria Cavanagh

Putting Heart and Soul into the play

She was my heart and soul and I lived solely for her."

Tribute to teen struck by train; WORLD TODAY

I sent my pics to Heart And Soul when the Irish Daily Mirror said they were looking for new face to represent them at Miss Universe

LOUISE'S WORK OF HEART; MISS UNIVERSE HOPEFUL OPENS HER PHOTO ALBUM Finalist shines in sexy shoot

Also, when you pray before the Eucharist, allow your desire for the things of God to intensify; allow your heart and soul to expand.

What are you waiting for? Try this for advent: next time you are forced to cool your heels, see the wait as a spiritual invitation

This sizzling collection of poetry and essays embodies the heart and soul of a woman, culture, and generation.

Poetic picks for holiday gift giving. (poetry reviews)

His latest book, Heart and soul for Europe--an essay on spiritual renewal(*), written and published in English, with a foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury, will come out in Dutch this summer.

Heart and soul for Europe: Edy Korthals Altes shocked the Dutch establishment when he resigned from the diplomatic service to become an outspoken wirter and peace activist ..

JUBILEE GIG: Marcus Collins DEBUT: Craig Colton has 'poured his heart and soul' into his first album

Ex Factor: Craig bares his soul to write album

MODEL Daniella Moyles looks world class as she shows off the latest range of dresses from Heart And Soul.

Could you be the new FACE of HEART and SOUL; LABEL QUEST FOR LOOKER

RE: HEART and Soul restaurant review (Daily Post, March 11 Though you kindly gave me the right to reply, there are some things I would like to say to my lovely customers, which could not be expressed in that reply.

Letter: From the heart