heartstring
/ˈhɑːtstrɪŋ
/noun (usually heartstrings)
Used in reference to one’s deepest feelings of love or compassion: the kitten’s pitiful little squeak tugged at her heartstrings the romance fails to tweak the heartstrings even a little...
- It certainly shouldn't tug at the heartstrings, satisfy the mind and thrill visually all at the same time.
- Has the world cottoned on to my gentle wit, my innate sense of style, or my ability to tug at the emotional heartstrings so dextrously?
- Ned felt something tug at his heartstrings, sympathy overwhelming him.
Origin
Late Middle English (originally in sense 'cord-like structure attached to the heart'): from heart + string.