Each week, this program explains the many meanings of English expressions. Today’s expressions include a very important word—“heart”. We will try to “get to the heart of the matter” to better understand the most important thing about words and their stories. So “take heart.” Have no fear about learning new expressions. Besides, popular English words can be fun. There is no need for a “heavy heart.” Such feelings of sadness would only “break my heart,” or make me feel unhappy and hopeless.
Now, let us suppose you and I were speaking freely about something private. We would be having a “heart to heart” discussion. I might speak from “the bottom of my heart, ” or say things honestly and truthfully. I might even “open up my heart” to you and tell you a secret. I would speak with “all my heart”.
When a person shares her feelings freely and openly like this, you might say she “wears her heart on her sleeve”. Her emotions are not protected.
If we had an honest discussion, both of us would know that the other person’s “heart is in the right place.” For example, I would know that you are a “kind-hearted” and well-meaning person. And, if you are a very good person, I would even say that you have “a heart of gold.” However, you might have a “change of heart” based on what I tell you. Our discussion might cause you to change the way you feel about something.
But, let us suppose you get angry over what I tell you. Or worse, you feel no sympathy or understanding for me or my situation. If this happens, I might think that you have a “heart of stone.” And, if you say something to make me frightened or worried, my “heart might stand still”.
小题1:If you are not so happy, you may feel that ________.
A．you “have a heart of stone”
B．you have to “take heart”
C．you “break you heart”
D．you “speak from the bottom of the heart”小题2:From the above passage we may see ________.
A．English words can all be used differently
B．some phrases do not have a fixed meaning
C．languages change with the time
D．the same word may have various meanings小题3:What is the passage trying to impress the readers?
A．To explain how “heart” is used in phrases.
B．To show the author’s perfect English.
C．To tell English learners to learn English in phrases.
D．To advertise an English course.小题4:Which of the following may serve as the best title of the passage?
A．A change of heart
B．Open up the heart of “heart”
C．Never let your heart stand still
D．Wear your heart on your sleeve
