play on someone's heartstrings en · VERB
Meanings
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(idiomatic) To produce a strong emotional effect on someone, especially of compassion, love or sadness.
“Why can't you just tell me? You're my only friend.” My words play on her heartstrings like I hoped they would, because her features soften.
2015, K Webster, Becoming Her Series:I love you more each day I love the music you play on my heartstrings I feel you in every way Reach for touch, you play on my heartstrings
1986, “Heartstrings”, performed by Berlin:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| playing on someone's heartstrings | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| plays on someone's heartstrings | Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres | lexicographic | |
| played on someone's heartstrings | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| played on someone's heartstrings | Tense=Past | lexicographic |
Synonyms
tug at someone's heartstrings · pull at someone's heartstrings