heartstrings

[ hahrt-stringz ]

plural noun

1. the deepest feelings; the strongest affections:

   to tug at one's heartstrings.

heartstrings

/ ˈhɑːtˌstrɪŋz /

plural noun

1. facetious.
   deep emotions or feelings

Word History and Origins

Origin of heartstrings¹

First recorded in 1475–85; heart + strings ( def )

Word History and Origins

Origin of heartstrings¹

C15: originally referring to the tendons supposed to support the heart

Example Sentences

When I'm with my two-year-old, the heartstrings pull.

From Salon

Its mood is often playful, until there’s a hard tug at the heartstrings.

From New York Times

Not long after he had regained his composure, the former Manchester City and England keeper was having his heartstrings pulled again when he was substituted late on.

From BBC

The clasped hands and blended voices of old and young tugged at televised heartstrings.

From Seattle Times

Open Roads, Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons Remake and Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden take on the emotional depths of family life in ways that shred the heartstrings — mostly without slipping into bathos.

From New York Times