# break someone's heart

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/break-someones-heart
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To cause a person to feel grief, disappointment, or sadness.

## Examples

- Do not break her heart by leaving so soon.
- He knew that ending their long relationship would break her heart, but he felt it was the only honest choice.
- The sudden news of his departure served only to break her heart, leaving her to navigate the profound silence of their empty home alone.

## Origin

The idiom descends from the Middle English *breke (my) harte*. Its structure has remained fixed in the language since that period, serving as a plain compound of the verb and the noun.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.