by heart

Idioms  

1. Also, by rote. From memory; also, mechanically. For example, Betty had trouble learning the song by heart, but her teacher insisted on it, or Japanese schools put heavy emphasis on learning by rote. These terms are often put as. The first term was already used by Chaucer (in Troilus and Cressida). The variant, also dating from the 1300s, often implies mere memorization without deeper understanding. Both phrases remain in use, although this form of learning is no longer so widespread as it once was. Also see commit to memory.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

by heart

You can recite the climbing gospel by heart: Save more, max the match, don’t touch it, buy and hold.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 16, 2026

These are songs from an earlier generation, but the participants - who look like they are mainly in their 20s and 30s - know them by heart.

From BBC ● Jun. 6, 2026

In animal studies, the injectable material improved tissue damage caused by heart attacks in both rodents and large animals.

From Science Daily ● May 5, 2026

I used to know the secret menu by heart before they started putting it on the actual menu.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 6, 2026

It was one of Agatha Swanburne’s catchier sayings, and the children knew it by heart, since Penelope said it often enough.

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood