to make one feel deeply happy and contented · to bring a sense of comfort and joy
This charming idiom is perfect for when something genuinely touches you and makes you feel warm and fuzzy inside. 🥰 It's often used when witnessing an act of kindness, receiving unexpected support, or simply experiencing something lovely and heartwarming! Think of those moments that just make your day a little brighter. ✨
💡 **Language nugget!** 'Cockles' here refers to a mollusk, but in this idiom, it's thought to be a corruption of the Latin word 'cochleae', meaning the ventricles of the heart. So, you're literally warming the deepest part of your heart! ❤️ Use 'one's' to match the subject: 'It warmed *my* heart,' 'It warmed *her* heart,' etc. It's a bit old-fashioned but still very much understood and appreciated for its cozy feel!
Your friend tells you a story about a stranger helping an elderly person cross the street. Which English expression best describes how you feel? A. to feel on edge B. to warm the cockles of your heart C. to be hot under the collar