The phrase “change of heart” means a conversion of opinion or feeling, not a physical heart transplant. It involves changing one’s mentality and making a decision based on that change. English has over 3,500 idioms, and many relate to the heart, but have nothing to do with the physical organ. The origin of the idiom is unknown, but it is a common theme throughout the Bible.
The phrase “change of heart” is one of hundreds of idiomatic expressions in the English language. The phrase does not imply a physical heart transplant, but rather a conversion of opinion or feeling. Changing the heart means changing one’s mentality; that is, to revise one’s thinking. It means changing an opinion about something you once believed to be true, and it involves making a decision based on that change. Usually, but not always, the change of heart is a transition from a negative to a positive opinion.
English romantic literature abounds with examples of characters’ struggles with anguish and eventual changes of heart. Jane Austen’s classic book Pride and Prejudice embodies the idiom of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, once so hostile towards each other, who discover compassion and love. Tragedies often depict characters who, due to their stubbornness and unchanging hard heart, experience grief or catastrophe.
Scholars estimate the existence of more than 3,500 idioms in the English language. An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not apparent from a literal interpretation of the words, but instead implies a figurative meaning. The meanings of idioms can often confuse or frustrate people who are attempting to learn the intricacies of the English language. English is a collection of many other languages, including German and Dutch. Add to that all the nuances from Latin and French and phrases from other languages, and English idioms can seem quite mysterious.
Other idioms related to the heart include phrases like “a man after my heart,” “a matter of the heart,” “break your heart,” and “bleeding-hearted liberal.” All these sayings have nothing to do with the internal organ of the body, but with deep feelings or thoughts and opinions. More than simply changing your mind, a change of heart involves a more personal and emotional change, akin to repentance or remorse. A change of mind might be based on preferences such as choosing vanilla ice cream instead of chocolate. Changing one’s heart, on the other hand, involves one’s innermost feelings and thoughts.
The origin of the “change of heart” idiom is unknown. It is believed to have first appeared in print in the early 1800s. The idea of a changing, repentant heart is a common theme throughout the Bible, such as a passage in 1 Samuel when God is said to have changed the heart of King Saul. In the New Testament, gospel hearers were encouraged to repent or have a change of heart.
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