lose heart

Idioms and Phrases

Become discouraged, as in The rescuers worked hard for the first few hours, but then they lost heart . This term uses heart in the sense of “courage” or “spirit.” [Mid-1800s] Also see lose one's heart to .

Example Sentences

Not for a moment did the brave man lose heart or suffer himself to grow weary in his difficult task.

From Project Gutenberg

I felt that if I thought the matter over I might lose heart, so I suddenly bounded into the arena.

From Project Gutenberg

But don't you lose heart, Jim, for I'm sure this isn't the end of our story, by any means.

From Project Gutenberg

A young soldier must not lose heart because he finds he is a prisoner.

From Project Gutenberg

But weeds have this virtue: they are not easily discouraged; they never lose heart entirely; they die game.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• brood
• sulk