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

When we first encounter the couple, they’re roaming the Metropolitan Museum of Art — which, one gets the sense, they know by heart.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 2, 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

"We should never, ever justify racial abuse. Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people. I know Mourinho by heart would agree with me but he expressed himself a bit unfortunately, I believe."

From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2026

I know that recipe by heart, so I wrote it on the back of this letter.

From "From the Desk of Zoe Washington" by Janae Marks