heart of stone

English

Etymology

From Ezekiel 36:26 of the King James Bible.[1]

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Noun

heart of stone (plural hearts of stone)

  1. (figuratively) A hardhearted character, stern or cruel nature.
    Antonym: heart of gold
    She's got a heart of stone.
    • 1986, “West End Girls”, in Please, performed by Pet Shop Boys:
      You've got a heart of glass or a heart of stone / Just you wait 'til I get you home
    • 2023 September 12, Phil McNulty, “Scotland 1-3 England: 'Complete package' Jude Bellingham puts concluding flourish on world-class performance”, in BBC Sport‎[1]:
      It would take a heart of stone, or an opposition supporter, not to feel some measure of sympathy for a player whose career has come to a standstill at club level and does not seem able to catch a break when he does make a rare appearance.

Translations

See also

References

  1. ^ The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], 1611, →OCLC, Ezekiel 36:26: “A new heart also will I giue you, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will take away the stonie heart out of your flesh, and I will giue you an heart of flesh.”
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