change of heart

American

noun

a reversal of one's feelings, intentions, opinions, etc..

At first Mother said we couldn't go, but she had a change of heart and let us.

change of heart Idioms

Altered feelings or attitude, as in Paul didn't like his new job, but a raise prompted a change of heart and he became quite enthusiastic. [Early 1800s]

Etymology

Origin of change of heart

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The decision raises the risk that Iran’s leaders might have a change of heart regarding their nuclear program as well, he said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

That might signal a change of heart around the dollar.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 4, 2026

But now we see this colossal change of heart - delivered in a characteristic blitz of capital letters.

From BBC • Jan. 20, 2026

It isn’t so much the earnings, but excitement about the airline’s guidance for 2026 that is behind the analysts’ abrupt change of heart.

From Barron's • Jan. 9, 2026

“Won’t you have a change of heart, Jackson?” my mother asked.

From "Kaffir Boy: An Autobiography" by Mark Mathabane

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023