Play on your heartstrings Meaning in English
expression
ˈpɫeɪ/ /ˈɑn/, /ˈɔn/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈhɑːtstɹɪŋz
PLAY on yor HART-stringz
plˈeɪ/ /ˈɒn/ /jˈɔː/ /hˈɑːtstɹɪŋz
PLAY on yaw HAHRT-stringz
Definition
To create strong emotions or make someone feel deep sympathy or sadness, especially by using stories or images.
Usage & Nuances
Usually used about movies, advertisements, or speeches that try to evoke sympathy or move people emotionally. It is often neutral or mildly critical, suggesting the emotional appeal may be manipulative.
Spanish: tocar tus sentimientos - conmoverte profundamentePortuguese (BR): mexer com seus sentimentos - tocar seu coraçãoPortuguese (PT): mexer com os teus sentimentos - tocar no teu coraçãoChinese (Simplified): 打动你的心弦 - 触动你的情感Chinese (Traditional): 撥動你的心絃 - 觸動你的情感Hindi: दिल को छू जाना - भावना के साथ खेलनाArabic: يعزف على أوتار قلبك - يحرك مشاعركBengali: মনকে নাড়া দেওয়া - হৃদয় ছুঁয়ে যাওয়া - সহানুভূতি জাগানোRussian: играть на чувствах - трогать за душуJapanese: 心の琴線に触れる - 感情に訴えるVietnamese: làm rung động trái tim - đánh vào cảm xúcKorean: 마음을 울리다 - 감정을 자극하다Turkish: duygularına dokunmak - kalbine dokunmakUrdu: دل کو چھونا - جذبات کو ابھارناIndonesian: menggugah hati - memainkan perasaan
Example Sentences
That sad commercial really plays on your heartstrings.
basic
The movie played on my heartstrings with its story about lost pets.
basic
Nonprofit groups sometimes play on your heartstrings to get donations.
basic
That video of the puppy rescue totally played on my heartstrings.
natural
Songs about family always play on my heartstrings.
natural
He knows how to play on your heartstrings when he wants something.
natural