PhrasesHub

Hard hearted

    Definitions

      • lacking sympathy or compassion
        Describing someone who is cold, unsympathetic, or unfeeling towards others

      • showing no mercy
        Describing someone who is unforgiving or unyielding, especially in a difficult or emotional situation

    Examples of Hard hearted

    • The bank refused to grant a loan to the small business, even though they had a solid business plan and a good credit history. The bank was being hard hearted, unwilling to lend to someone who was genuinely in need.

      The phrase "hard hearted" in this context implies a lack of empathy or compassion. It suggests that the bank was being inflexible and unwilling to consider the applicant's circumstances. By describing the bank's behavior as "hard hearted," the speaker is implying that the bank's decision was unnecessarily harsh or unfeeling.

    • Despite the fact that Jane had been a loyal employee for ten years, her boss dismissed her without warning. Jane felt that her boss was being hard hearted, not recognizing the years of hard work and dedication that Jane had put into the company.

      In this example, "hard hearted" refers to the boss's lack of gratitude or recognition for the employee's service. It implies that the boss was being ungrateful or dismissive of Jane's long-term contributions to the company. By describing the boss's behavior in this way, the speaker is implying that the boss's actions were unfair or unreasonable.

    • When Sarah's father fell ill, Sarah asked her brother for help, as she was struggling to cope with the cost of his treatment. Her brother refused, saying that he had his own family to support. Sarah felt that her brother was being hard hearted, not recognizing the familial bond and responsibility to help in times of need.

      In this example, "hard hearted" refers to the brother's lack of family values or obligation. It implies that the brother was being unsympathetic or unhelpful to his sister's plight. By describing the brother's behavior in this way, the speaker is implying that the brother's actions were callous or unfeeling.

    • The CEO's decision to lay off a hundred employees without any prior warning was a hard-hearted move that left many families struggling to make ends meet.

      The phrase "hard-hearted" in this context implies that the CEO showed no empathy or compassion towards the affected employees, and thus came across as cold-hearted or ruthless.

    • After winning the lottery, John's best friend suddenly stopped returning his calls, seemingly unbothered by the fact that John had always been there for him in times of need. John couldn't help but think that his friend had turned hard-hearted overnight.

      The phrase "hard-hearted" in this context can be interpreted as someone who becomes callous or indifferent towards others' suffering.

    • No matter how many times she begged for his forgiveness, he remained hard-hearted and refused to listen to her pleas.

      The phrase "hard-hearted" in this context can be used to describe someone who refuses to change their mind or make amends, no matter how heartfelt the pleas of the other person may be.

    • Despite being a successful businessman, no one ever accused him of being soft-hearted or sentimental.

      The phrase "soft-hearted" is the opposite of "hard-hearted". It is used to describe someone who is easily moved to sympathy or pity, and is often associated with kindness and compassion. In this context, the phrase "hard-hearted" is used to convey the opposite - someone who is not easily moved to these feelings.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "hard-hearted" is used to describe someone who lacks sympathy or compassion, or someone who shows no mercy. It is often used to characterize individuals who are cold, unsympathetic, or unfeeling towards others, or who are unforgiving and unyielding in difficult or emotional situations.

    The idiom is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts, to describe individuals who are unwilling to show kindness or understanding towards others, or who refuse to give anyone a second chance. It can also be used to describe situations or actions that are unyielding or unforgiving in nature.

    Overall, the idiom "hard-hearted" is a powerful way to convey the lack of compassion or mercy in a person or situation.

    Origin of "Hard hearted"

    The origin of the idiom "hard-hearted" can be traced back to the Old English word "heardhēort," which was used to describe someone who was unfeeling or unsympathetic. Over time, the term evolved into the modern-day idiom "hard-hearted," which continues to be used to describe individuals who lack compassion or mercy.

    The use of the term "hard-hearted" can be found in literature and writings dating back centuries, where it was used to depict characters or individuals who were portrayed as unfeeling or unsympathetic. The idiom has since become a common way to describe individuals or situations that are unforgiving or unyielding in their nature.

    Overall, the idiom "hard-hearted" has a long history and has been used in various contexts to convey the lack of sympathy or compassion in individuals or situations. Its origins in Old English highlight the enduring nature of the concept it represents.