wear one's heart on one's sleeve, to
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
and have one's heart on one's sleeveFig. to display one's feelings openly and habitually, rather than keep them private. John always has his heart on his sleeve so that everyone knows how he feels. Because she wears her heart on her sleeve, it's easy to hurt her feelings.
See also: heart, on, sleeve, wear
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Also, pin one's heart on one's sleeve. Openly show one's feelings, especially amorous ones. For example, You can't help but see how he feels about her; he wears his heart on his sleeve. This expression alludes to the former custom of tying a woman's favor to her lover's sleeve, thereby announcing their attachment. Shakespeare had it in Othello (1:1): "But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at."
See also: heart, on, sleeve, wear
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
wear (one's) heart on (one's) sleeve
To show one's feelings clearly and openly by one's behavior.
See also: heart, on, sleeve, wear
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve, to
To show one’s feelings, especially amorous ones, openly. This term comes from the old custom of tying a lady’s favor to her lover’s sleeve, thus announcing their attachment. Shakespeare used it in Othello (1.1): “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at.”
See also: heart, on, wear
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
- with all (one's) heart
- with all heart
- with all my heart
- with all one's heart
- heart in one's mouth, to have one's
- with all your heart/your whole heart
- with (one's) whole heart
- eat one's heart out, to
- sleeve
- have a heart