heart of gold
English
Pronunciation
Audio (General Australian): (file)
Noun
heart of gold (plural hearts of gold)
- (idiomatic) A kind, compassionate, or caring attitude; kindheartedness; a person with those qualities.
- Antonym: heart of stone
- Don't let her rough exterior fool you; underneath that grumpy disposition beats a heart of gold.
- 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene i]:
- The King's a Bawcock, and a Heart of Gold, / a Lad of Life, an Impe of Fame, / of Parents good, of Fist most valiant:
- 1910, Baroness Orczy, Petticoat Rule[1]:
- "He is modest," said Lady Eglinton, with the air of a proud mother lauding her young offspring. "A heart of gold, my dear Mlle. d'Aumont!" she whispered behind her fan, "under a simple exterior."
Related terms
- gold-hearted
- good-hearted
- golden-hearted
Translations
kindheartedness
|