drive a stake through its heart
get rid of, destroy permanently or stop talking about
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“We need to drive a stake through its heart and stop this project.”
“The committee decided to drive a stake through its heart to ensure the failed policy never returned.”
“The author hoped that by addressing the rumors directly, he could drive a stake through its heart and finally move on with his life.”
The phrase alludes to the methods of dispatching vampires in Gothic fiction. The imagery stems from the tradition that an undead creature must have a wooden stake driven through its heart to ensure its permanent destruction.
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absence makes the heart grow fonder
One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.
- 02
all heart
Motivated by positive emotions, especially as productive of exceptionally generous or kind behavior.
- 03
be still my heart
An admonition to oneself to calm down when overly excited, especially in terms of romantic attraction.
- 04
break someone's heart
To cause a person to feel grief, disappointment, or sadness.
- 05
broken heart
A feeling of grief or loss, especially after a failed romantic relationship.
- 06
change of heart
A change of one's opinion, belief or decision.
- 07
cross my heart
A declaration that the speaker is telling the truth.
- 08
cross my heart and hope to die
Added to a promise or a statement to show how serious one was about being honest in what one said
Last updated August 10, 2026