THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
By heart
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
From memory, so that you can repeat or recall something without looking at it.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- I know the opening lines of the play by heart.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
I know the opening lines of the play ________.
Show the answer
By heart — From memory, so that you can repeat or recall something without looking at it.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “By heart” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
From memory, so that you can repeat or recall something without looking at it.
Compare: I know the opening lines of the play by heart.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
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More ways to understand and use it
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When to use it
Use this expression when talking about memorised lines, facts, poems, instructions or other information. It fits everyday learning conversations.
More examples in context
- She learned the short poem by heart for the class performance.
- We do not need to know every page number by heart; we can use the index.
Usage note
Use by heart without a or the. Common patterns include know something by heart and learn something by heart. Memorising something does not necessarily mean understanding it. Off by heart is another British form.
A short conversation
A: Do you need the script during the opening scene?
B: No, I know those lines by heart.
A: Let’s rehearse without the page this time.
One more practice question
What can someone who knows a poem by heart usually do?
A. Recite it from memory without reading it.
B. Only recognise its title when it is printed.
Check your answer
A. By heart means the words have been memorised and can be recalled.
Related lessons
Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.