# have a heart

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/have-a-heart
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

To be kind or sympathetic; to treat others kindly.

## Examples

- Please have a heart and help the stray cat.
- The landlord decided to have a heart and gave the family more time to pay their rent.
- Even though the strict judge usually followed the law to the letter, he chose to have a heart and reduced the young man's sentence.

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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.