take sth to heart

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. take sth to heart meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "take sth to heart"

Meaning

The phrase “to take something to heart” is a popular idiom in English used to describe someone who takes a comment or event deeply to heart, usually in a negative way. It means to be greatly affected by a certain thing, usually a statement or event, in such a way that it shapes one’s own thoughts and emotions. This idiom can be used in a variety of situations and is often used today to describe a person’s response to criticism or stress.

Etymology

The origin of the phrase “to take something to heart” dates back to the 12th century. It originated from the Latin phrase “cogita ad cor”, which translates to “think in the heart”. In other words, it was used to indicate that a person should think deeply about an issue or situation as if it were from their own heart. Throughout time, this phrase has evolved and adapted to fit the modern vernacular and is still used in today’s English.

Usage

This idiom is used to describe someone who is greatly affected by a situation or statement, usually in a negative way. It can be used to describe a person’s reaction to a criticism or to describe a person’s deep emotional response to a certain event. It is most often used as a warning to someone to not take a certain statement or event too seriously.

Example Sentences

• I know you’re taking her words to heart, but don’t let it get you down.
• He had the tendency to take everything to heart and let people’s words affect him deeply.
• You must not take it to heart – it was only a joke!

Idioms with similar meaning

"Don't judge a book by its cover" is an English idiom that means you shouldn't make assumptions about someone or something based solely on its appearance. In Japanese, the similar idiom is "Hana yori dango," which translates to "Dumplings rather than flowers." This idiom means that substance is more important than appearance.