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

His voice was stronger than ever as he boomed out lyrics everyone knew by heart.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 4, 2026

The drug, called TY1, represents an early example of a new group of treatments aimed at restoring tissue harmed by heart attacks, inflammatory disorders or other medical conditions.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 5, 2025

After all those years, I should’ve known that number by heart.

From "Harbor Me" by Jacqueline Woodson