have no heart for

Idioms

Also, not have the heart for. Lack enthusiasm for, as in After the dog died he had no heart for taking long walks, or I should go through the family albums, but I don't have the heart for it. [Mid-1600s] Also see heart in it.

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.

Mother says I have no heart for my own kind.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

After a day when he had few customers and no tips, Raji would have no heart for books, but most of the time he was eager to learn.

From "Homeless Bird" by Gloria Whelan

“Amy is left for him, and they would suit excellently, but I have no heart for such things, now. I don’t care what becomes of anybody but you, Beth. You must get well.”

From "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott

For my part, I have no heart for hard work, when I feel that somebody else may reap the reward.

From Ireland as It Is And as It Would be Under Home Rule by Buckley, Robert John

"But I have no heart for it now that I know your errand."

From The Courtship of Morrice Buckler A Romance by Mason, A. E. W. (Alfred Edward Woodley)

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