have a change of heart

Meaning

This phrase means to change your opinion, attitude, or decision, especially regarding a personal matter or relationship. It often implies a shift from a cold, negative, or harsh stance to a more positive, forgiving, or cooperative one. It suggests a deeper emotional shift rather than just a casual change of plans.

Examples

• He initially refused to help us, but he had a change of heart and lent us the money.

  He initially refused to help us, but he had a change of heart and lent us the money.

• I was going to break up with him, but I had a change of heart after our long talk.

  I was going to break up with him, but I had a change of heart after our long talk.

• The manager had a change of heart and decided to give her another chance.

  The manager had a change of heart and decided to give her another chance.

• She had a sudden change of heart about moving abroad and decided to stay home.

  She had a sudden change of heart about moving abroad and decided to stay home.

• If you have a change of heart about the job offer, please let us know by Friday.

  If you have a change of heart about the job offer, please let us know by Friday.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He had a change of mind about forgiving his brother.

  ✓ He had a change of heart about forgiving his brother.

  While 'change of mind' is grammatically correct for decisions, 'change of heart' is specifically used for emotional decisions or shifts in attitude toward people.

• ✗ She changed her heart about the wedding.

  ✓ She had a change of heart about the wedding.

  The standard idiomatic phrasing is 'to have a change of heart', not 'to change one's heart'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• She was planning to sell the family home, but she had a ___ at the last minute.

  💡 Think of an emotional change of mind.

  Show answer

  change of heart

• I hope the landlord has a ___ and lets us keep a pet.

  💡 Use the base noun phrase.

  Show answer

  change of heart