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wear your heart on your sleeve

Say it: wear your HEART on your sleev /ˌwɛə jɔː ˈhɑːt ɒn jɔː ˈsliːv/ · idiom

What “wear your heart on your sleeve” means

Show your feelings openly so everyone can see them.

More precisely: To show your feelings openly and obviously.

Example: “He wears his heart on his sleeve; you always know when he's upset.”

When to use it

In everyday conversation, for someone whose feelings are easy to see. The tone is often affectionate.

Similar words

be an open book, be transparent

Where it comes from

Shakespeare's Iago uses the phrase in Othello.

Quick check

Whenever you're delighted or disappointed, your face shows it immediately and you freely tell everyone how you feel. Which phrase fits?

let your guard down or wear your heart on your sleeve?

Show the answer

wear your heart on your sleeve

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