heart goes out to

heart goes out to

Meaning

• to feel sympathy for someone when they are distressed
• used to show a feeling of compassion for someone else during difficult times

Example Sentences

1. Following the aftermath of the hurricane, my heart goes out to all the residents of New Orleans.
2. My heart goes out to all the people who lost loved ones in the terrorist attacks of yesterday.
3. When I see people who have been through some rough times, my heart just goes out to them.
4. Julia is very sensitive and her heart always goes out to people who are going through a nasty divorce.
5. I am sure everyone's hearts goes out to all those who were affected by the horrible fire in London.

Origin

This phrase became popularly used in the 18^th century. The heart is traditionally perceived as a symbol of emotions or yearning. So in this century where there were a lot of arranged marriages, people unhappily married would be heard saying their heart goes to whom they'd rather have been with. As time went on, the phrase was then used to sympathise with people in this situation and then generally sympathise with people on a whole.