steal someone’s heart: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘steal someone's heart’ mean?
The idiom "steal someone's heart" means to make someone fall in love with you or to capture someone's affections or emotions.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "talk someone into something" means to persuade or convince someone to do something that they may not initially want to do.
The idiom "take to heart" means to deeply and emotionally internalize something, often a criticism or advice, and allow it to affect one's thoughts, feelings, and behavior.
The idiom "take to" means to develop a liking or affinity for something or someone. It refers to one's natural inclination or willingness to engage in or enjoy a particular activity or person.
The idiom "take the bait" means to fall for a trick or deception, often by reacting exactly as the trickster desires, thus becoming trapped or manipulated.
The idiom "take someone's part" means to support or defend someone in an argument or disagreement, often without considering the opposing viewpoint.
The idiom "take someone's head off" means to yell or speak to someone angrily or aggressively.
The idiom "take someone's breath away" means to astonish or amaze someone to the point of leaving them speechless or in awe.
The idiom "take someone's arm" means to hold someone's arm, often to guide or support them physically or emotionally.
The idiom "take by storm" means to conquer or overcome something quickly and easily, typically by using force, enthusiasm, or popularity.
Unveiling the Captivating Allure of Love's Theft
The idiom "someone's heart is in" is closely related to the expression "steal someone's heart." It refers to someone's deep emotional investment or strong passion for something or someone. When someone's heart is in something, it means they are fully committed and dedicated to it, putting all their energy, love, and effort into it.
"break someone's heart" is another idiom related to "steal someone's heart." It refers to causing deep emotional pain and sorrow to someone, typically by ending a romantic relationship or betraying their trust. If someone's heart is broken, it means they have been devastated by the loss of love or by a painful experience.
When someone steals another person's heart, they capture their affection and create a deep emotional connection. This idiom is commonly used to describe the act of winning someone's love or affection. It implies a sense of surprise and enchantment, as if the person's heart was unexpectedly taken by another. The idiom suggests that the person who stole the heart has exerted a powerful influence on the individual, leaving them infatuated and emotionally attached.
The exact origins of the idiom "steal someone's heart" are uncertain, but it likely stems from the metaphorical association of the heart with emotions and love in various societies throughout history. References to gods and goddesses stealing hearts to create love and desire can be found in ancient Greek and Roman literature. However, the specific phrase "steal someone's heart" as we know it today is believed to have originated in the English language around the 19th century.
The idiom "steal someone's heart" is primarily used in romantic contexts, describing the process of captivating someone's emotions and winning their love. It can be used to describe the initial stages of attraction or infatuation, where one person's actions or qualities deeply affect another person's emotions. It suggests that the person who steals the heart holds a special place in their life, bringing immense happiness and fulfillment.
Like many idiomatic expressions, "steal someone's heart" should not be taken literally. The phrase is a figurative representation of emotions and love, highlighting the power of one person's influence on another. While it may evoke romantic notions, it is also used metaphorically in other contexts, such as describing the admiration or fondness someone has for a particular place, hobby, or even a pet.
The idiom "steal someone's heart" is a vivid and expressive phrase that captures the essence of falling in love and forming deep emotional connections. Its origins can be traced back to ancient literature, and it has become firmly ingrained in the English language. The idiom encapsulates the powerful impact one person can have on another, evoking feelings of enchantment, surprise, and joy. Whether used in a romantic context or to describe other types of emotional attachment, "steal someone's heart" remains a powerful and evocative idiom that resonates with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences, highlighting the enduring allure and complexity of human emotions.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "steal someone's heart" can be used in a sentence:
- He stole her heart with his romantic gestures and charming personality.
- The actress stole the audience's hearts with her incredible performance.
- The adorable puppy stole my heart when I saw it at the animal shelter.
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