change-of-heart
/ˌtʃeɪndʒ əv ˈhɑːt/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A change of heart is a change in someone's feelings, opinion, or decision. It often happens after thinking again or feeling differently.
- She had a change of heart and stayed home.
- He changed his heart about moving abroad.
- The manager's change of heart surprised everyone.
Adinary Nuance
A change of heart is more personal and emotional than change of mind. Use it when feelings, not only thinking, lead to a new decision. It is also more natural in written English than in very formal business writing.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đổi ý
- Spanish
- cambio de opinión
- Chinese
- 改变主意
- Japanese
- 考えを変えること
- Korean
- 마음이 바뀜
Etymology
This phrase combines 'change' and 'heart,' where 'heart' means feelings or inner thoughts. It became common in English by the 1800s.
Common phrases
have a change of hearta sudden change of heartafter a change of heart
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is 'change of heart' the same as 'change of mind'?
- They are similar, but 'change of heart' suggests stronger feelings.
- Is 'change of heart' formal or informal?
- It is common in everyday and written English, but not very formal.
- Can I use 'change of heart' for business decisions?
- Yes, but 'change of mind' is often simpler in business writing.