harden your heart

harden (one's) heart

To stop or cause one to stop feeling kindness and compassion. I worry that all the trauma she's already been through at such a young age will harden her heart.
See also: harden, heart
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

harden your heart

If you harden your heart, you force yourself not to feel love or sympathy for someone or something. Note: The heart is traditionally regarded as the centre of the emotions. The weeping continued. Lionel hardened his heart against the sound. The government's violent response to the mass action will only harden the people's hearts against the ruling party. Note: You can also say that your heart hardens. Anna saw the hurt in her father's eyes and her heart hardened.
See also: harden, heart
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
See also:
  • harden
  • harden (one's) heart
  • harden one's heart
  • get off (one's) high horse
  • get off high horse
  • wipe the/that grin off (one's) face
  • wipe the/that smile, grin, etc. off your/somebody's face
  • All right already!
  • all right(y) already
  • already
References in periodicals archive
'If today you hear his voice do not harden your heart' No matter how little or far from God's fold we have wandered, there is rejoicing in heaven over each sheep found.
"You can't harden your heart and expect to write good songs if you don't.
He said, 'I know it will be hard for you to take, but I'm thinking of forgiving the Japanese, because we are neighbors, and neighbors must learn to talk to each other, live together, trade and help each other Forget your hatred, because if you persist it will harden your heart that it might even be imparted to your children'.
Harden your heart to begging AM I alone in wondering why people are getting so upset about demands from charities?
Your best friend from Nigeria must have fallen prey to this deadly virus, but sometimes it's necessary to harden your heart and avoid paying him a visit.
It kills and maims in your name.Aa It dispossesses and occupies in your name.Aa It talks peace and wages war in your name.Aa If you turn a deaf ear to their mourning again this year, if you harden your heart again this year, if your voice is not raised this year in protest -- then you are acquiescing in the ongoing ethnic cleansing of another people, in your name.Aa If you cannot see Palestinians as fully human now, you will hear them trying to give voice to their humanity in your nightmares, year after year, until you can see and until you can hear.
Otherwise, harden your heart by recognising that other commitment-shy lovers are far harder to keep than to find..
If you buy a horse, harden your heart; make a contingency deal about how soon, should the brute be talentless, you can be horseless and the bills stop coming in.
There is nothing for it but to harden your heart, say a single "hello" and walk on by.
If you refuse to harden your heart and you love learners and teaching, you will see that what Palmer says is natural and valid.
He read Psalm 95 'Come, let us sing joy to the Lord...' He chose verses 7/8 'Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your heart...' He discussed how youngsters can become temporarily deaf when adults ask them to 'do' something.
I don't for a minute think she's simply going to accept it, but for everyone's sake, you've got to harden your heart and tell the girl it's over.
Harden your heart to sob stories when the same person keeps saying they haven't any money.
WHEN it comes to being impressionable you might hold the world record but you will harden your heart today when a sob story sounds too far-fetched to be true.
Find out more 0905 070 0410 (77p/min) Pisces Feb 20 - Mar 20 WHEN it comes to being impressionable you might hold the world record but you will harden your heart today when a sob story sounds too far-fetched to be true.