heart of stone

heart of stone

A cold, mean nature. The politician remained indifferent to the city's poverty crisis, causing many of his detractors to accuse him of having a heart of stone.
See also: heart, of, stone
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

heart of stone

A very cold and unfeeling nature, as in You'll get no sympathy from her; she has a heart of stone. This idea dates from ancient times and in English appeared in the Bible (Job 41:24). [Early 1600s]
See also: heart, of, stone
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

heart of stone

a stern or cruel nature.
See also: heart, of, stone
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

heart of stone, to have a

To be an unfeeling, pitiless person. This term dates from the time of Homer: “Thy heart is even harder than stone” appears in his Odyssey (ca. 850 b.c.). Several centuries later it turns up in the Bible, in the Book of Job (41:24): “His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.”
See also: have, heart, of
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • heart of stone, to have a
  • have a heart of stone
  • accuse
  • accuse (one) of (something)
  • accuse of
  • accused
  • hang on (one's) every word
  • hang on (one's) words
  • hang on somebody's words/every word
  • hang on someone's words
References in periodicals archive
I was disappointed that yet again a major open space in Birmingham does not have any landscaped greenery incorporated - the city seems to have a heart of stone.
YOU would have to have a heart of stone not to feel for British Steel workers right now.
As a sign of his love he makes her a heart of stone. He has to face many challenges before everything takes an unexpected turn.
It would take a heart of stone not to be moved by Andy Murray announcing his retirement this week.
Nazizi recently released a hit titled, Heart Of Stone. She will be featuring on Coke studio 2019.
Who prowls around our Nursing Home And never leaves the mice alone Who's miaow would melt a heart of stone? Jaffa, the orange moggie.
The Fault In Our Stars Tue, Film4, 9pm If you don't blub watching this, you have a heart of stone. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort play teenage cancer patients who fall in love at a support group.
WHATEVER your political views, you would have to have a heart of stone not to feel some emotion if you watched the Prime Minister's speech at the Tory Party Conference.
"Heart of Stone" is another terrific read from the pen of James Ziskin and continues the mystery adventures of Ellie Stone.
Jeremy Corbyn and loyalty ONE would need a heart of stone not to launch at John Appleyard's letter (Examiner, January 11) "Where is the loyalty".
Scott will publish the spinoff to her bestselling novel, "Heart Of Stone" on October 11, 2015.
Skarpari or EWHVB -- for short -- is celebrating the release of her debut album Heart of Stone, which she managed to make after a recent successful crowd funding campaign.
OH Mr Cameron, what a really important man, Sorting out all Europe and Afghanistan, So Mr Cameron it's importance that you seek, In your coalition with Lib Dems oh so weak, Oh Mr Cameron with your importance now so great, Destroying all us poor plebs, with Ian Duncan's hate, Now Mr Cameron, it's important to be fair, With undeserved expenses, in your Westminster lair, Well Mr Cameron importance is your trump, You the puppet master, making Clegg and Cable jump, We're in it all together, it's We struggle with your bedroom tax, while bankers' greed is good, Therefore Mr Cameron, with your heart of stone and ice, It's nice to be important, but more important to be nice.
He said: "It required a heart of stone to keep up that pretence and a heart of stone to deal with her body in the way that you did."
YOU'D need a heart of stone not to have been moved by the story of Lesley Brown featured in today's Echo.