Now,the VOA Special English program
WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.
Each week,this program explains
the many meanings of English expressions.
Today's expressions include
a very important word – heart.
We will try to get to the heart of the matter
to better understand the most important things
about words and their stories.
So take heart.
Have no fear about learning new expressions.
Besides,popular English words can be fun.
There is no need for a heavy heart.
Such feelings of sadness
would only break my heart,
or make me feel unhappy and hopeless.
Now,let us suppose you
and I were speaking freely
about something private.
We would be having a heart to heart discussion.
I might speak from the bottom of my heart,
or say things honestly and truthfully.
I might even open up my heart to you
and tell a secret.
I would speak with all my heart,
or with great feeling.
When a person shares her feelings freely
and openly like this,
you might say she wears her heart
on her sleeve,
or on her clothing.
Her emotions are not protected.
If we had an honest discussion,
both of us would know
that the other person's heart
is in the right place.
For example,
I would know that you are a kind-hearted
and well-meaning person.
And,if you are a very good person,
I would even say
that you have a heart of gold.
However,you might have a change of heart
based on what I tell you.
Our discussion might cause you
to change the way you feel about something.
But,let us suppose you get angry
over what I tell you.
Or worse,
you feel no sympathy or understanding
for me or my situation.
If this happens,
I might think that you have a heart of stone.
And,if you say something
to make me frightened or worried,
my heart might stand still or skip a beat.
Yet,even though you may be angry,
I would know that at heart,
you are a kind person.
In reality,you do care.
And any argument between us
would not cause me to lose heart
or feel a sense of loss.
My heart goes out to anyone
who loses a friend over an argument.
It really is a sad situation,
and I feel sympathy for the people involved.
I promise that what I have told you today
is true – cross my heart.
I really wanted to play some music
at the end of this feature.
In fact,I had my heart set on it.
So here it is,
"Don't Go Breaking my Heart" by Elton John.
(MUSIC)
This VOA Special English program,
WORDS AND THEIR STORIES,
was written by Jill Moss.
I'm Faith Lapidus.