“An aching heart” refers to the emotional pain and distress caused by lost or unfulfilled love. It is often described as a deep sorrow or longing felt in the heart, which is traditionally associated with love and emotions.
Meaning and origin:
This idiom is based on the metaphor of the heart being the center of love and emotions. When love is lost or unreciprocated, the emotional pain is symbolically described as an “aching heart.” This phrase is commonly used in literature, songs, and poetry to express heartbreak.
Examples of usage:
In expressing lost love:
“I try to tell my aching heart that I don’t love him.”
In describing emotional pain:
“There is no medicine for an aching heart.”
In reflecting on personal sorrow:
“With an aching heart, she said goodbye, knowing they would never meet again.”
Why and when to use this idiom:
“An aching heart” is a powerful way to express the emotional pain associated with love. English learners can use this idiom when talking about heartbreak or deep emotional sorrow. It is often used in poetic or emotional contexts to capture the intensity of the feeling.
Equivalent expressions:
- “Heartbroken” – A common way to describe the feeling of deep sadness from love.
- “Heavy heart” – Another way of expressing sorrow or emotional burden.
- “Broken-hearted” – Similar to “heartbroken,” it refers to the emotional pain caused by lost love.
Using “an aching heart” allows you to convey the depth of emotional pain in a poetic and expressive way, making it a powerful phrase for conversations or writing about love and loss.
