breaks someone's heart
Shatters romantic hopes
To break someone's heart is to cause them deep emotional pain, especially through rejection, betrayal, or loss.
The phrase typically involves romantic disappointment—ending a relationship, unrequited love, infidelity: She broke his heart when she left.
It extends to any profound disappointment: It breaks my heart to see him struggling.
The passive form describes the resulting state: He was heartbroken.
- cryingEmotional tear release
- loveIntense fond attachment
- lost lovePast romantic attachment
- unrequited loveRomantic feelings not returned
- griefIntense sorrow from loss
sorrow · emotional pain · devastation · betrayal · forgiveness · rejection · despair · falling apart · anguish · infidelity · trust issues · longing · crushing · empty feeling · letting go · regret · melancholy · anger