change of heart

Meaning

A 'change of heart' refers to a change in one's opinion, attitude, or feelings, usually leading to a different decision. It often implies a shift toward a warmer, more generous, or more forgiving perspective.

Examples

• She initially refused to lend him the money, but she had a change of heart.

  She initially refused to lend him the money, but she had a change of heart.

• I was going to sell my old guitar, but I had a sudden change of heart.

  I was going to sell my old guitar, but I had a sudden change of heart.

• The manager had a change of heart and decided to let us leave early.

  The manager had a change of heart and decided to let us leave early.

• What caused your change of heart about moving to Chicago?

  What caused your change of heart about moving to Chicago?

• We hoped the landlord would have a change of heart regarding the pet policy.

  We hoped the landlord would have a change of heart regarding the pet policy.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He changed his heart about the project.

  ✓ He had a change of heart about the project.

  The idiom is structured as 'to have a change of heart'. You do not usually say 'change one's heart' as a verb phrase in this context.

• ✗ I made a change of heart.

  ✓ I had a change of heart.

  Use the verb 'have' (or 'had' in the past) with this expression, not 'make'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• He was planning to quit, but he had a ___ after his boss offered him a raise.

  💡 noun phrase starting with change

  Show answer

  change of heart

• Do you think she will have a ___ and forgive him?

  💡 a shift in attitude or feelings

  Show answer

  change of heart