heart crumbled

USAGE SUMMARY

"heart crumbled" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a figure of speech which means to be extremely saddened or disheartened. For example, "When Jack told his mother he was leaving, her heart crumbled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

There were at least three points at which my own heart crumbled for her: when the unbearable upstart Rasmus accused her of having no feelings; when Jakob finally left the flat they so unsuccessfully shared; and when she realised Martin had sought the files that gave him the story of her past, after she had asked him to leave them buried.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

No such luck on February 22nd, when a 6.3 magnitude tremor killed 181 people and destroyed the already weakened city centre.Christchurch is a city under siege, its inner heart crumbling and cordoned off.

The Economist

Our hearts crumble.

The New Yorker

There are the brave others in my family who have been diagnosed in the past six years and are in remission, having triumphed over a disease that makes our eyes widen and our hearts crumble upon hearing that initial diagnosis.

HuffPost

"My heart just crumbled," Pauline Wells said.

The New York Times - Sports

Bale clearly has a really good poker face, but if you look closely, you can see his bat heart slowly crumbling inside.

Huffington Post

The best appetizer was the toss of warm baby beets, crisply fried artichoke hearts, mint and crumbled blue cheese.

The New York Times

Montebianco was just as lively: thin pear slices, candied walnut halves, mushroom slices, hearts of romaine and crumbled Gorgonzola in a piquant lemon dressing.

The New York Times

Tom Brady is cute but give me a Dunkin' Donuts iced macchiato, a brownie batter crumble heart donut and a chicken salad sandwich on a baked croissant.

The New York Times - Sports

English governance is a canker at the heart of our crumbling constitution, yet "England" has been the unheard word in this campaign.

The Guardian - Opinion

No. Tired enough to live here, in Marble Arch, in the crumbling heart of this dying city?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heart crumbled" to vividly depict a moment of intense emotional pain or devastation, often triggered by a significant loss or disappointment. This phrase is most effective in narrative or descriptive writing.

Common error

Avoid using "heart crumbled" too frequently in your writing. Overuse can diminish its impact and make your writing seem melodramatic. Vary your descriptions of emotional distress to maintain the reader's engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart crumbled" functions as a figurative expression to describe a state of intense emotional distress or sadness. This usage aligns with the observation from Ludwig AI, which identifies it as a figure of speech.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heart crumbled" is a grammatically correct and evocative expression used to describe a profound feeling of sadness or emotional distress. While its frequency is rare, the phrase is predominantly found in "News & Media" contexts, as supported by Ludwig's analysis. Ludwig AI confirms that "heart crumbled" is a valid and usable figure of speech, best employed to vividly depict a moment of intense emotional pain. Alternatives such as "heart broke" or "heart shattered" offer similar emotional resonance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heart broke

This alternative suggests a sudden and intense feeling of sadness or loss.

heart shattered

This alternative intensifies the feeling of brokenness and irreparable damage.

heart ached

This suggests a lingering and dull emotional pain.

heart sank

This alternative describes a feeling of disappointment or dread.

felt heartbroken

This is a more explicit and common way to express profound sadness.

despair washed over

This alternative conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by hopelessness.

spirits fell

This suggests a loss of enthusiasm and joy.

lost all hope

This alternative implies a complete absence of optimism.

soul crushed

This intensifies the feeling of devastation, suggesting a deep emotional wound.

overcome with grief

This describes a state of being heavily burdened by sorrow.

FAQs

What does "heart crumbled" mean?

The phrase "heart crumbled" is a figurative expression used to describe a feeling of intense sadness, disappointment, or emotional pain, as if the heart has broken into pieces.

How can I use "heart crumbled" in a sentence?

You can use "heart crumbled" to describe a character's emotional state in response to a sad or difficult situation. For example, "Her heart crumbled when she heard the news".

What are some alternatives to "heart crumbled"?

You can use alternatives like "heart broke", "heart shattered", or "felt heartbroken" to express similar feelings of sadness and loss.

Is it correct to say "heart crumbled"?

Yes, "heart crumbled" is a correct and evocative way to describe a feeling of deep emotional distress. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.