break your 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 your heart

COMMON

1. If you break someone's heart, you make them very unhappy by ending a relationship with them or making it clear that you do not love them. Note: The heart is traditionally regarded as the centre of the emotions. She left him later that year and broke his heart. Note: You can also say that someone has a broken heart when they feel very sad because a relationship has ended. If you're a poet, you get some good poetry out of a broken heart. Note: You can also say that someone is heartbroken or is broken-hearted. Mary was broken-hearted when he left her.

2. If a fact or a situation breaks your heart, it makes you very sad. Note: The heart is traditionally regarded as the centre of the emotions. It broke my heart to see this woman suffer the way she did. Note: You can also say that someone is heartbroken or is broken-hearted if they are very upset about something. He looked heartbroken that Momma hadn't gotten more excited over his announcement. Little Craig Malcolmson is broken-hearted by the theft of his treasured toy.

See also: break, heart

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012