heart-to-heartadv.adj.n.
/ˌhɑːttəˈhɑːt/, U.S. /ˈˌhɑrttəˈhɑrt/ A. adv.
In unhyphenated form heart to heart. Directly, as if from one person's heart to another's; without intermediary; openly, frankly, sincerely. In early use frequently in religious contexts.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > behaviour > unaffectedness or naturalness > [adverb] > straightforwardly or frankly
openlya1200
simplyc1325
plainlyc1390
frankly?1553
open-heartedly1611
heart-to-heart1654
unreservedly1708
straightforwardly1839
single-heartedly1857
straight1961
1654 T. Washbourne Divine Poems To Rdr. sig. A4 What would that Learnings lover now impart To speak with an Apostle heart to heart?
1753 in tr. T. De Jesus Sufferings our Lord Jesus Christ I. ii. 30 He speaks to us himself heart to heart.
1816 J. Lead Wars of David 5 The soul speaks to God heart to heart, and always in a great and profound peace.
1850 Spectator 20 Apr. 369/1 I cannot but speak to you heart to heart.
1905 W. Baucke Where White Man Treads 150 He is a friend..who sees as men see, heart to heart.
1998 L. Forbes Bombay Ice (1999) 131 Easing me into it: the confession; giving me a chance to open up. Girl to girl, heart to heart.
B. adj.
Designating a conversation, discussion, or other exchange held privately between (usually) two people, which is direct, frank, and sincere. Frequently in heart-to-heart chat, heart-to-heart talk.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [adjective] > frank, candid
free-hearteda1398
plain-dealing1567
plain-spoken1582
broad1588
free-spoken1606
free1611
unminced1648
unreserved1654
candid1675
above boarda1695
unmanaged1749
unprevaricating?1782
plain-speaking1787
loud-mouthing1788
bluff1808
outspoken1808
unglossing1827
straightforward1829
unwithholdinga1834
open-spoken1852
heart-to-heart1855
blunt-spoken1877
straight1894
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [adjective] > face-to-face or private > heart-to-heart
heart-to-heart1855
1855 E. C. Gaskell North & South III. iii. 55/2 He was in that mood that finds most relief in heart to heart conversation.
1861 Dublin Univ. Mag. Apr. 419 Lucy's purpose had not faltered during all the long hours of that day, which had seemed weeks to her, waiting for this heart to heart talk with her son.
1894 Advance 11 Oct. A kind of public religious ‘orphanage’, where no true heart-to-heart ‘mothering’..was possible.
1902 A. H. Lewis Wolfville Days xi. 152 He don't own no real business to transact; he's out to have a heart-to-heart interview with the great Southwest.
1925 P. G. Wodehouse Carry on, Jeeves ix. 221 He and Jeeves had had a heart-to-heart chat in the kitchen.
1955 W. Gaddis Recognitions i. v. 180 Baby, I just make a few notes on them and write these heart-to-heart confessions.
2005 J. Canseco Juiced 41 I sat close to her and looked at her and had one last heart-to-heart talk with her.
C. n.
A conversation or discussion of this nature.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > other types of conversation
diabologuea1713
giff-gaff1787
by-dialogue1817
question and answer1817
war-talk1831
fast talk1866
heart-to-heart1904
pseudo-conversation1926
team talk1947
psychodrama1952
catch-up1972
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > sincerity, freedom from deceit > [noun] > frankness, straightforwardness > specifically in speech > conversation
heart-to-heart1904
1904 Puck (N.Y.) 15 June 4/1 Or put your hair up—though denied A ‘heart to heart’ with Mr. Bok.
1948 A. Waugh Unclouded Summer xv. 252 I have the girls up there in the evenings for ‘heart-to-hearts’.
1951 L. MacNeice tr. J. W. von Goethe Faust 50 All this needs a little explaining And will keep till our next heart-to-heart.
1986 G. Benford & D. Brin Heart of Comet (1987) ii. 93 The mech and Lani had seemed engrossed in a heart-to-heart.
2010 Mizz 18 Mar. 62/2 Lucy has a heart-to-heart with Jane, which finally clears her head and helps her to come to a decision.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2013; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.adj.n.1654