Meaning: This idiom means to openly display one’s emotions and feelings, rather than keeping them hidden or private. It implies being transparent and expressive about what one is feeling, making one’s emotions easily observable to others.
Usage in Example Sentences:
- “He always wears his heart on his sleeve, so you can easily tell when he’s happy or upset.”
- “She wore her heart on her sleeve during the speech, and everyone could see how passionate she was about the cause.”
- “If you wear your heart on your sleeve, people might take advantage of your openness.”
Origin: The origin of the idiom “wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve” dates back to the medieval practice of knights wearing a lady’s token (often a scarf or handkerchief) on their sleeve to display their affection and loyalty. Additionally, William Shakespeare popularized the phrase in his play “Othello” (1604), where the character Iago says, “But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve / For daws to peck at: I am not what I am.” This line conveys the idea of exposing one’s true feelings openly, subjecting them to public scrutiny. Over time, the phrase has come to mean openly expressing one’s emotions in general.
