have a heart of stone
To be very cold, mean, or callous by nature. The politician remained indifferent to the city's poverty crisis, causing many of his detractors to accuse him of having a heart of stone. The film is pretty cheesy, to be sure, but you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by it all the same. That old farmhand has such a tough exterior that I just assumed he had a heart of stone—that is, until he risked his life to save my daughter.
heart of stone
A cold, mean nature. The politician remained indifferent to the city's poverty crisis, causing many of his detractors to accuse him of having a heart of stone. The film is pretty cheesy, to be sure, but you'd have to have a heart of stone not to be moved by it all the same. That old farmhand has such a tough exterior that I just assumed he had a heart of stone—that is, until he risked his life to save my daughter.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
heart of stone
A very cold and unfeeling nature, as in You'll get no sympathy from her; she has a heart of stone. This idea dates from ancient times and in English appeared in the Bible (Job 41:24). [Early 1600s]
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 of stone
a stern or cruel nature.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
heart of stone, to have a
To be an unfeeling, pitiless person. This term dates from the time of Homer: “Thy heart is even harder than stone” appears in his Odyssey (ca. 850 b.c.). Several centuries later it turns up in the Bible, in the Book of Job (41:24): “His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.”
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer