in heart of hearts
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in (one's) heart of hearts
In the deepest, most intimate part of oneself. In my heart of hearts, I knew 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."
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]
in (one's) heart of hearts
In the seat of one's truest feelings.
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).