heart-to-heart
adjective
frank; sincere.
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heart-to-heart
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heart to heart
heart to heartCandidly, sincerely, as in We need to talk heart to heart about her coming marriage. This expression is nearly always applied to a conversation of some kind. [Mid-1900s]
heart-to-heart
American
[hahrt-tuh-hahrt]
/ ˈhɑrt təˌhɑrt /
adjective
noun
heart-to-heart
British
adjective
noun
heart to heart
Idioms
Etymology
Origin of heart-to-heart
First recorded in 1865–70
Vocabulary lists containing heart-to-heart
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.
“We had a heart-to-heart about how we can’t afford what we originally planned,” said Morgan, a part-time teacher whose husband is a military veteran.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026
At one point, Spaeny looked over to see her brother-in-law having a heart-to-heart with Melton’s dad.
From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026
Walking along a remote beach in Papua New Guinea, Shad Ellis found himself having a heart-to-heart with Will Smith, one of the most recognisable faces on the planet.
From BBC • Jan. 18, 2026
In a heart-to-heart talk with your adult child; acknowledge the pain, hardship or misunderstanding that resulted from your actions or decisions; and ask for forgiveness.
From MarketWatch • Dec. 2, 2025
The reconciliation took place gradually, rather than at any sort of intense heart-to-heart meeting.
From "Outcasts United: An American Town, a Refugee Team, and One Woman's Quest to Make a Difference" by Warren St. John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
