Skip to learning

THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

A change of heart

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

A change in how someone feels or what they think about something.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. I planned to leave the club, but I had a change of heart after talking with the organiser.

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.

Can you recall the expression?

Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.

I planned to leave the club, but I had ________ after talking with the organiser.
Show the answer

A change of heart — A change in how someone feels or what they think about something.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “A change of heart” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

A change in how someone feels or what they think about something.

Compare: I planned to leave the club, but I had a change of heart after talking with the organiser.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

GO DEEPER

More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this expression when someone revises an earlier opinion, intention or feeling. It is useful in everyday accounts of decisions and relationships.

More examples in context

  • She had a change of heart about selling her bicycle.
  • The committee’s change of heart meant the weekend sessions could continue.

Usage note

Use have a change of heart, often followed by about. The expression concerns an attitude or decision, not a medical change. It does not itself tell us whether the new decision is wise.

A short conversation

A: I thought you were not joining the trip.
B: I had a change of heart after seeing the route.
A: I am glad you can come.

One more practice question

Who has had a change of heart?

A. Someone who first opposed a plan and later decided to support it.
B. Someone who has supported the same plan throughout.

Check your answer

A. The person’s opinion has changed from their earlier position.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

Share this idiom