in heart of hearts
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in (one's) heart of hearts
In the deepest, most intimate, and most honest part of one's feelings or beliefs. I knew in my heart of hearts that I didn't really love Bill—and yet, I married him anyway. A: "I'm so sorry that your daughter's modeling job didn't work out." B: "Oh, that's OK. In her heart of hearts, she knew it was a long shot."
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
in one's heart of hearts
According to one's truest, innermost feelings, especially when secret. For example, It's a wonderful job offer, but in my heart of hearts I don't want to leave this area. [Late 1500s]
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.
in (one's) heart of hearts
In the seat of one's truest feelings.
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.
in one's heart of hearts
In the innermost recesses of one’s mind or feelings. This expression was used by Shakespeare, “In my heart’s core, ay in my heart of heart” (Hamlet, 3.2), as well as by William Wordsworth (Intimations of Immortality, 1806) and Anthony Trollope (The Last Chronicle of Barset, 1867).
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer