- To openly display or show one's emotions and feelings, rather than hiding them.
- Describes someone who is emotionally transparent and expressive.
Explanation
Origin
- Often linked to a custom from the Middle Ages, possibly during jousting tournaments.
- Knights would supposedly wear a token (like a ribbon or handkerchief) from a lady they admired pinned to their sleeve, thus publicly declaring their affection.
- Shakespeare used a related phrase in his play Othello (Act 1, Scene 1): But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve / For daws to peck at. Here, Iago means he *won't* do this, implying it makes one vulnerable.
- The modern meaning of openly showing any emotion became common later.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Be real / Keep it real
- Lay it all out there
- Keep it 100 (AAVE origin be completely truthful/authentic)
- Put it all out on the table
More Formal:
- Express oneself candidly / openly
- Be emotionally unguarded / transparent
- Manifest one's feelings readily
Situational Appropriateness
- Used in informal and semi-formal contexts to describe personality.
- Can be perceived positively (honest, authentic) or negatively (lacking emotional control, vulnerable) depending on the context and the speaker's perspective.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might imagine someone literally attaching a heart shape to their clothing.
- Explain it's a metaphor for displaying emotions openly.
Examples
- She's very emotional and tends to wear her heart on her sleeve.
- You always know exactly how he's feeling; he wears his heart on his sleeve.
- Unlike his reserved brother, Tom wears his heart on his sleeve.
Dialogue
Anna: Did you see Sarah after she got the news? She looked devastated.
Ben: Yeah, she wears her heart on her sleeve. She finds it hard to hide disappointment.
Anna: I know. It's tough to see her so upset.
Social Media Examples
- I'm definitely someone who wears my heart on my sleeve. Sometimes it's hard, but I value authenticity. ❤️ #Emotions #BeReal
- Watching this documentary, the main subject clearly wears their heart on their sleeve. Such raw emotion. #Documentary #Vulnerability
Response Patterns
- Agreement: Yes, you can always tell what she's thinking., He really does.
- Commenting on the trait: It's quite endearing., It can make him seem vulnerable sometimes., I admire her honesty.
- Contrasting: Unlike me, I tend to keep things bottled up.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After observing someone wears their heart on their sleeve:
- Might lead to further discussion about that person's personality: Is that a good thing?, Does it ever cause problems for them?
- Comparing with others: Is his sister like that too?
Conversation Starter
- No. Typically an observation about someone's character or behavior.
Intonation
- Emphasis usually on heart and sleeve.
- The tone is often observational or descriptive.
- He really wears his HEART on his SLEEVE.
Generation Differences
- Widely understood and used across generations.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions.