play on someone's heartstrings
English
editVerb
editplay on someone's heartstrings (third-person singular simple present plays on someone's heartstrings, present participle playing on someone's heartstrings, simple past and past participle played on someone's heartstrings)
- (idiomatic) To produce strong emotions of sadness or pity in someone.
- 1986, “Heartstrings”, performed by Berlin:
- I love you more each day
I love the music you play on my heartstrings
I feel you in every way
Reach for touch, you play on my heartstrings
- 2015, K Webster, Becoming Her Series:
- “Why can't you just tell me? You're my only friend.”
My words play on her heartstrings like I hoped they would, because her features soften.