English Reference
Idiom idiom

hearts on sleeves


Transparent, open, or forthright emotions.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

“They wear their hearts on their sleeves and tell everyone how they feel.”

CONTEXTUAL

“Because he wears his heart on his sleeve, you always know exactly what he is thinking during a difficult conversation.”

COMPLEX

“In a culture that often prizes stoicism, she remains refreshingly honest, choosing to wear her heart on her sleeve regardless of the potential for judgment.”


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  2. 02

    heart of hearts

    One's innermost private feelings.

  3. 03

    hearts and flowers

    Ideal romance.

  4. 04

    laugh in one's sleeve

    to laugh in secret or to oneself, usually gloatingly

  5. 05

    laugh up one's sleeve

    Alternative form of laugh in one's sleeve.

  6. 06

    roll up one's sleeves

    To prepare to work.

  7. 07

    sleeves from one's vest

    Something non-existent; something of no value or cost.

  8. 08

    trick up one's sleeve

    Synonym of ace up one's sleeve.

Last updated August 10, 2026