set (one's) heart on (something)

(redirected from someone is setting their heart on it)

set (one's) heart on (something)

To resolutely determine to do or acquire something. When I was a little boy, I set my heart on becoming a fighter pilot. When Janie sets her heart on a new toy, she won't give us a moment's peace until we buy it for her.

See also: heart, on, set

set one's heart on someone or something

Fig. to be determined to get or do someone or something. I am sorry you didn't get to pick the one you wanted. I know you had set your heart on Fred. Jane set her heart on going to London.

See also: heart, on, set

set one's heart on

Also, have one's heart set on. Strongly desire something, as in I'd set my heart on a vacation in New Mexico but got sick and couldn't go, or Harry had his heart set on a new pickup truck. [Late 1300s]

See also: heart, on, set

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.

set your heart on something

COMMON If you set your heart on something, you decide that you want it very much and aim to achieve or obtain it. Note: The heart is traditionally regarded as the centre of the emotions. She'd set her heart on an acting career. She admits that when she saw the flat Jeremy had set his heart on, her first reaction was horror.

set your heart (or hopes) on

have a strong desire for or to do.

See also: heart, on, set

set your heart on

decide you very much want to have.

See also: heart, on, set

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

set your ˈheart/ˈmind on something/on doing something

have your heart/mind ˈset on something/on doing something

want something very much; want to do or achieve something very much: When she was a small girl, her heart was set on a horse of her own. ♢ He set his mind on becoming a doctor. ♢ I have my heart set on a new guitar.

See also: heart, mind, on, set, something

set (one's) heart on

To be determined to do something.

See also: heart, on, set

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.

set one's heart on, to

To have an earnest desire for; to determine to obtain something. The heart has long been equated with one’s innermost being, and to “set” it on something means to fix it in that direction. This term dates from the fourteenth century. It appears in the Bible: “If riches increase, set not your heart upon them” (Psalms 62:10). This passage is repeated in the Book of Common Prayer.