Not have the heart to do Meaning in English
expression
NOT HAV thuh / thee / thu HART too / tuh / ti DOO
NOT HAV thuh / thee HARHT too DOO
Definition
To feel unable to do something because it would hurt or upset someone, often because you feel sympathy or compassion.
Usage & Nuances
This expression is informal, often used when you avoid an action out of kindness or emotional sensitivity. Commonly paired with actions like 'tell,' 'leave,' or 'refuse.' It doesn't mean fear, but emotional reluctance.
Spanish: no tener corazón para hacer (algo) - no atreverse a hacer (algo) por compasiónPortuguese (BR): não ter coragem de fazer (algo) - não ter coração para fazer (algo)Portuguese (PT): não ter coragem de fazer (algo) - não ter coração para fazer (algo)Chinese (Simplified): 不忍心做（某事）Chinese (Traditional): 不忍心做（某事）Hindi: मन नहीं हुआ (कुछ करने का)Arabic: لم يكن لديه قلب لفعل (شيء)Bengali: মন সায় দেয় না - মন থেকে না চাওয়াRussian: не хватает духа - не решиться (из жалости)Japanese: ～する気になれない - 心が痛んでできないVietnamese: không nỡ làmKorean: 차마 ~하지 못하다Turkish: gönlü el vermemekUrdu: دل نہیں چاہناIndonesian: tidak tega (melakukan sesuatu)
Example Sentences
I didn't have the heart to do it and make her cry.
basic
He doesn't have the heart to do something so mean.
basic
She didn't have the heart to do what was needed.
basic
I just don't have the heart to do this to my best friend.
natural
She looked so happy, I didn't have the heart to do anything to ruin it.
natural
We didn't have the heart to do it, so we left the puppy with her.
natural