Idioms

break somebody's heart

break (one's) heart

1. To betray, destroy, or abandon one's love, as by ending a romantic relationship. I know Adam broke your heart, but there are lots of guys out there who would treat you well. To think that she would cheat on Tom after 20 years of marriage. I can never forgive her for breaking his heart like that. You better not break my daughter's heart, sonny!
2. To cause one a feeling of intense sadness, regret, or pity. It really breaks my heart having to fire such talented employees, but there's no way the company will survive if I don't. That poor, skittish cat just breaks my heart—I can't believe someone abandoned her! No, I never drive by our old house. It breaks my heart to see the new family living there.
See also: break, heart
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

break somebody’s ˈheart

make somebody feel extremely unhappy: That boy is breaking his mother’s heart with his wild ways. ♢ It’s a job I would like, but it won’t break my heart if I don’t get it. ▶ ˈheartbreak noun: He causes his mother nothing but heartbreak. ˈheartbreaking, ˈheartbroken adj.: a heartbreaking story ♢ We were heartbroken by the news.
See also: break, heart
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
There's no easy way to break somebody's heart, as the song goes.
IS IT THE END OF THE ROAD FOR US?
Her mother said, 'I know you're going to break her heart, but please be gentle.' "I said, 'I don't know how you could break somebody's heart and be gentle, but I don't intend to break her heart.' You never intend to."
Burt's frail but he's still an arresting star
I'm sure you've heard of the saying there's no easy way to break somebody's heart. This is absolutely true.
Let him go
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