phrases, sayings, idioms and expressions at

Tug at your heartstrings

Posted by ESC on June 13, 2004

In Reply to: Tug at your heart strings posted by Lotg on June 12, 2004

: This term means to really get to you emotionally. But how did it come about? As far as I'm aware, the heart has no strings, so why would anyone come up with a saying like this?

From Merriam-Webster:

Main Entry: heart·string
Pronunciation: -"stri[ng]
Function: noun
1 obsolete : a nerve once believed to sustain the heart
2 : the deepest emotions or affections -- pulled at his heartstrings

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