heart of stone
1
a personality marked by emotional coldness and lack of sympathy
The idiom "heart of stone" originates from the idea that a heart, as the symbol of emotion and compassion, should be warm and soft, but when described as "of stone," it signifies a person's lack of empathy, compassion, or emotional responsiveness. It is used to imply that someone is emotionally cold, unfeeling, or indifferent.
- Despite the heartbreaking situation, his heart of stone never allowed him to shed a tear.
- She seemed to possess a heart of stone, showing no sympathy for the struggles of her coworkers.
- Even in the face of the most touching stories, the manager maintained his reputation for having a heart of stone.
- It was as if his heart was made of stone, unmoved by the pleas of the homeless man on the street.
- Her heart of stone was evident when she coldly rejected his heartfelt apology.