tug (redirected from tugging)

forelock-tugging (British)

showing too much respect towards someone who is in a high position. As the General marched in, the collective forelock-tugging began.

tear/tug at your heartstrings

if something or someone tugs at your heartstrings, they make you feel strong love or sympathy. It's the story of a lost child - guaranteed to tug at the heartstrings.

See also: heartstring, tear

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tug at your heartstrings

to cause strong feelings of affection or sympathy. He looked into his son's smiling eyes and felt a tug on his heartstrings.

Usage notes: sometimes used with other verbs: The stories he told plucked at your heartstrings.

See also: heartstring