heart of glass

English

Etymology

By metaphor, from the notion that glass is fragile (easily broken).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌhɑːt ə ˈɡlɑːs/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˌhɑɹt ə ˈɡlæs/

• Audio (General Australian):

  (file)

Noun

heart of glass (plural hearts of glass)

1. (idiomatic, figurative) A heart (or by extension, person) in a very fragile romantic state: one that is easily made broken-hearted.
   • 1978, Debbie Harry & Chris Stein, "Heart of Glass", Blondie, Parallel Lines.

     Once I had a love and it was a gas / Soon turned out, had a heart of glass

Related terms

• heartbreak
• glass-hearted

Translations

heart in a very fragile state

• Finnish: haavoittuva mielentila
• Portuguese: coração de vidro

See also

• heart of gold, heart of stone