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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

heart of glass en · NOUN

Pronunciation

  • /ˌhɑːt ə ˈɡlɑːs/ (Received-Pronunciation)
  • /ˌhɑɹt ə ˈɡlæs/ (General-American)
  • (Australia) audio

Etymology

By metaphor, from the notion that glass is fragile (easily broken).

Meanings

  1. (figuratively, idiomatic) A heart (or by extension, person) in a very fragile romantic state: one that is easily made broken-hearted.
    • You've got a heart of glass or a heart of stone / Just you wait 'til I get you home 1986, “West End Girls”, in Please, performed by Pet Shop Boys:
    • Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon turned out, had a heart of glass 1978, Debbie Harry, Chris Stein, “Heart of Glass”, in Parallel Lines, performed by Blondie:

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
hearts of glass Number=Plur lexicographic

Relateds

heartbreak · heart of gold · glass-hearted · heart of stone

Translations (3)

pl szklane serce (heart in a very fragile state) · pt coração de vidro (heart in a very fragile state) · fi haavoittuva mielentila (heart in a very fragile state)