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heart of gold



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Idioms and Phrases

A very kind and good nature, as in Bill is very generous; he has a heart of gold . This expression alludes to gold in the sense of “something valued for its goodness.” [Late 1500s]
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The comedian — whose breakout role as foul-mouthed football player with a heart of gold Roy Kent on “Ted Lasso” earned him two Emmys and who co-created the series “Shrinking” — has been packing his schedule with film projects and TV show appearances since “Ted Lasso” premiered in 2020.

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"Joe had a heart of gold, and we would appeal to anyone who has any information to come forward," they added.

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The setlist changed every night, and even recurring songs like Heart of Gold and Like A Hurricane would be played in different settings, on different instruments, without warning.

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"She was a beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece and best friend. She had a heart of gold and will be deeply missed by many."

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Alan's "heart of gold" shone through, but particularly in his relationship with his mother, Ms Hayes added.

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More About Heart Of Gold

doesheart of gold mean?

A heart of gold is a good and kind nature. A person who is said to have a heart of gold is thought to be a good and kind person.

The word heart is very commonly used to refer to the metaphorical or hypothetical center of human emotions or human nature. The word gold implies goodness or purity. In this way, heart of gold is an idiom implying that a person is truly good and kind at their core.

Similar phrases imply other things—heart of stone, for example, refers to a cold and unfeeling nature.

The phrase heart of gold is sometimes used to contrast with another trait seen as less positive, or to suggest that someone often seen as immoral is actually a good person.

Example: He’s not the best businessman, but he’s got a heart of gold.

Where doesheart of gold come from?

The phrase heart of gold has been used since at least the 1500s. The phrase is thought to have been popularized through its use in William Shakespeare’s play Henry V, which was written around 1599.

In the play, a peasant uses the phrase to praise the king, who is in disguise at the time:

The king’s a bawcock, and a heart of gold,
A lad of life, an imp of fame;
Of parents good, of fist most valiant.

These lines emphasize the strength of Henry’s moral character by showing that even a peasant believes Henry to be a good, valiant king based on his deeds, rather than his kingly status or appearance.

Did you know ... ?

are some synonyms for heart of gold?

  • kind nature
  • pure heart

are some words that share a root or word element with heart of gold?

are some words that often get used in discussing heart of gold?

How isheart of goldused in real life?

Heart of gold is always used positively.

Try usingheart of gold!

Which of the following words would NOT be used to describe a person who is said to have a heart of gold?

A. kind
B.greedy
C.charitable
D. generous

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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