take to heart

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take to heart (third-person singular simple present takes to heart, present participle taking to heart, simple past took to heart, past participle taken to heart)

1. (idiomatic) To take something seriously; to internalize or live according to something (e.g. advice.)

   He really took it to heart when I asked him to reconsider.

2. (idiomatic) To feel keenly; be greatly grieved at; be much affected by something.
   • 1927 March 5, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Adventure of Shoscombe Old Place”, in The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, New York, N.Y.: A[lbert] L[evi] Burt Company, published June 1927, →OCLC, page 281:

     Of course, with her weak heart and dropsy one couldn't expect that she could get about with him, but he spent two hours every evening in her room. He might well do what he could, for she has been a rare good friend to him. But that's all over, too. He never goes near her. And she takes it to heart. She is brooding and sulky and drinking, Mr. Holmes—drinking like a fish.

• Soule's Dictionary of Synonyms