pierce

pierce (one's) heart

To impact one on a deep, emotionally meaningful level; to stir a strong emotion in one, especially sadness, pity, etc. When the lights came on, the room was silent, and you could tell the documentary had pierced everyone's heart. It pierced my heart seeing my father's new one-bedroom apartment, with its bare walls and random assortment of appliances and utensils.

See also: heart, pierce

pierce through

To penetrate, perforate, or cut through someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "pierce" and "through." Rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds. The metal beam that had been hurled by the tornado pierced the building clean through. The bullet didn't hit any organs when it pierced through him.

See also: pierce, through

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

pierce through something

to poke through something; to penetrate something. He pierced through the meat with a fork and then put it in a spicy marinade. Mary pierced the yarn through with the knitting needles.

See also: pierce, through

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

pierce someone's heart

affect someone keenly or deeply.

See also: heart, pierce

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017