knave of hearts

Tart-stealing royal servant

The knave of hearts is a playing card, the jack in the hearts suit.

The phrase evokes the nursery rhyme character who "stole some tarts" from the Queen of Hearts.

Calling someone a knave of hearts suggests a charming rogue or romantic trickster—someone who steals affections rather than pastries.

Alice

Carroll

Dodgson pseudonym

  • croquetMallet-and-hoop lawn game
  • trialJudicial examination of claims
  • tartsFilled pastry shells

queen · stolen · courtroom · nonsense · fantasy · illustration · tea party · playing card · whimsy · literary

rogue

trickster

Cunning deceiver in myth

roguish · sly · crafty · schemer · impish · cheeky · pilfering · thievery · cunning · wily

playing card

deck

Ship's flat surface

  • jackDevice for lifting vehicles
  • suitMatched formal garments
  • trumpSuit outranking all others

hand · shuffle · deal · trick · poker · blackjack · euchre · spades · diamonds · clubs

nursery rhyme

tarts

Filled pastry shells

  • queenMost powerful chess piece
  • stoleTook without permission
  • bakingCooking with dry heat

Mother Goose · verse · rhyme · children · storybook · singalong · recitation · illustration · bedtime · morality

royalty

queen

Most powerful chess piece

  • kingMale crowned ruler
  • courtTrial venue or sports surface
  • courtierRoyal household attendant

palace · throne · crown · kingdom · servant · page · herald · sovereign · noble · aristocracy

Opposites
playing card rank hierarchy

knave of heartsking of hearts

Face card, red suit

ace of hearts · king · queen · low card

suit opposition in cards

knave of heartsjack of spades

Face card, dark suit

knave of clubs · jack of clubs · jack of diamonds

nursery rhyme character morality

knave of heartsthe queen

Female head of state

Family

knave, heart, knaves, hearts, knavery, knavish, hearted, heartful, heartless

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G