wear one's heart on one's sleeve

To express affection or sentiment too openly or ostentatiously: “You have to play it cool with a girl like Heidi; you mustn't wear your heart on your sleeve.”

Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

Also, pin one's heart on one's sleeve . Openly show one's feelings, especially amorous ones. For example, You can't help but see how he feels about her; he wears his heart on his sleeve . This expression alludes to the former custom of tying a woman's favor to her lover's sleeve, thereby announcing their attachment. Shakespeare had it in Othello (1:1): “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at.”

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Browse