hand to heart
Sincerity's physical proof
Hand to heart describes a gesture or statement of sincere honesty—placing one's palm against the chest to signal truthfulness or solemn commitment.
The phrase often introduces or follows an earnest declaration: Hand to heart, I never told anyone your secret.
It can also describe the physical gesture itself, as during a national anthem or pledge.
- sincereGenuinely felt, not feigned
- pledgeBinding promise given
- scout's honorEmphatic promise of honesty
- oathFormal binding promise
- vowSolemn personal commitment
pinky promise · promise · genuine · heartfelt · loyalty · devotion · earnest · solemn · swear · chest · patriot · pledge of allegiance · national anthem · anthem · national · salute · honor · speak the truth
- gesturesgesture, applause, tap on shoulder, snap fingers, beckon
hand to heartlying through one's teeth
Telling obvious, shameless falsehoods
tongue in cheek · in bad faith · disingenuously · insincerely · deceitfully
hand to heartdismissively
Showing something unworthy of consideration
offhandedly · casually · flippantly · nonchalantly · carelessly
hand to heartnoncommittally
Without firm stance
evasively · half-heartedly · hedging · weaseling · provisionally
hand, heart, hands, hearts, handed, hearted, handing, handy, handily