English idiom

dear to one's heart

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

very important to someone and loved deeply

Why this phrase?

Not about the physical heart; 'heart' symbolizes feelings.

Example

“This old garden is very dear to her heart.”

Dictionary details

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

the high point

the best or most enjoyable part of an event or period

blow off steam

to release pent-up energy or emotion through some activity

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

drive someone up the wall

to make someone feel extremely annoyed or frustrated

get on someone's nerves

to repeatedly irritate or annoy someone

go bananas

to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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