heart and soul
28
3.4
- idiom
:
alma
- It is, for me, the heart and soul of Africa.
It is the the heart and soul of science's experiment.
- It is the the heart and soul of science's experiment.
- In some ways, that is the heart and soul of this research.
- And I thought her concession speech was really what the heart and soul of America is.
- And it's become your family's heart and soul.
- I would say yeah, there is a heart and soul for the story and hopefully it's in the screenplay.
- I think from my perspective, the best way to make a lot of money in the long term is to keep your heart and soul intact.
- Like they are doing a good job of connecting with and listening to the people who are the heart and soul of their platform.
- And the things that are most satisfying to your heart and soul are not the things that are generally going to bring you the most money.
- So this is really the heart and soul of everything that we do, and we've learned in the process.
- And while I I love interviewing and spending time with guests, I feel like kind of the heart and soul of the podcast should be me complaining and, you know, listening.
- You are a one kind human being with a massive heart and soul.
Examples
-
The tour guides and interpreters are the heart and soul of the everyday contact with the visitors.
Academic text (2007) -
Well, some have said I am the heart and soul of the game.
-
These are the people who are the heart and soul in this country.
-
In some ways, that is the heart and soul of this research.
-
The river, of course, is the heart and soul of the region.
Academic text (2009) -
A revolution that could only have come from the heart and soul of a nation.
Academic text (2006) -
Brian was, without doubt, the heart and soul of the group.
Fiction book (1990) -
So this is really the heart and soul of everything that we do, and we've learned in the process.
-
In many ways, Talk of the Town was the heart and soul of The New Yorker.
Fiction book (1999) -
Mary Stuart is the heart and soul of our enterprise.
Synonyms
∞
2.7
The central part of something, for example an idea or a place
468
3.2
The most important central part of something
441
4.8
The central idea or most important part of something
282
1.0
The most important part or person that gets most attention
188
4.3
The main idea of something said or written
122
4.5
The most important part that makes something what it is
78
5.5
The main part of an idea or talk that matters most
46
4.6
The main point of what someone says or writes
21
5.4
Central part of an idea or argument
21
5.1
The thing that is most important for an organization or area's success
20
3.9
The main part that keeps a place or group active
14
4.9
The main thing that keeps something working or alive
13
3.9
The most important part of a problem or discussion
12
7.7
The most important part of something
6
6.7
The main point people argue about in a discussion
1
7.7
The main part of an idea or argument
Antonyms
How Essential
Surface Forms
Morphology
The sense 'the most essential or deeply committed part' is directly derivable from combining 'heart' (emotional/central core) and 'soul' (essential immaterial part) as a coordinated intensifier meaning wholehearted involvement. This metaphorical but transparent composition is common cross-linguistically and follows an obvious semantic logic, so a B1 learner who knows both words would likely infer the MWE's meaning.
Etymology
Heart and soul comes from the idea that the heart and soul are the most important parts of a person. So calling someone the 'heart and soul' of a group paints the picture that they are the centre and keep it alive.