heart leaped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heart leaped" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to express a sudden feeling of excitement or joy, often in response to something surprising or delightful. Example: "When she walked into the room, my heart leaped at the sight of her smile."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

My heart leaped into my throat.

The New York Times - Travel

The dread in his heart leaped, flipped, stuck a landing.

The New Yorker

Although I was unnerved from the driving, my heart leaped when I finally reached the top of the Hermigua Valley.

The New York Times - Travel

"You have as much right to be there as I have," he said suddenly, and my heart leaped with a childish joy.

The New Yorker

There is too much straightforward genre stuffing: "I had just about convinced myself. . . when a deafening buzz (the doorbell) shattered the silence and my heart leaped up for joy".

The New Yorker

After a while, she asked, again, "What are you going to do with this license?" My heart leaped as I realized that she was going to give it to me.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If you saw it, did your heart leap?

The New Yorker

Jules' heart leapt with excitement and a frisson of desire.

The Guardian - Books

"Of course, it's my turn," I say, my heart leaping, celebrating the chance to escape.

The New Yorker

My heart leaps when I walk into an Italian restaurant with a pizza oven.

Independent

"I do," repeated Jack, feeling his heart leap straight into the man's fat little hand.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heart leaped" to vividly describe a sudden feeling of joy, excitement, or surprise, especially when reacting to unexpected good news or a pleasant surprise.

Common error

Avoid using "heart leaped" too frequently in your writing. While effective, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your descriptions of emotional responses to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heart leaped" functions as a vivid way to express a sudden and intense emotional response, typically joy or excitement. Ludwig examples illustrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "heart leaped" is a common and effective way to describe a sudden feeling of joy or excitement. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase, supported by numerous examples from reputable sources, predominantly in the news and media domain. When using this phrase, consider the context and avoid overuse to maintain its impact. Alternatives like "heart skipped a beat" or "heart soared" can provide variety while conveying similar emotions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heart skipped a beat

This phrase emphasizes a momentary pause or irregularity in the heartbeat due to excitement or surprise.

heart soared

This alternative focuses on the feeling of elation and upliftment.

heart raced

This suggests a rapid increase in heart rate due to excitement or anxiety.

heart fluttered

This conveys a gentle, light feeling of excitement or nervousness.

felt a surge of joy

This emphasizes the sudden rush of positive emotion.

my spirits lifted

This indicates a rise in mood or emotional state.

became filled with joy

This describes feeling the emotion of joy in a complete and satisfying way.

felt a thrill

This indicates a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure.

my pulse quickened

This alternative focuses on the physical response to excitement or anticipation.

felt a jolt of excitement

This indicates an abrupt and surprising burst of positive energy.

FAQs

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

Use "heart leaped" to describe a sudden feeling of joy or excitement. For example, "When I saw her, my "heart leaped" with joy."

What can I say instead of "heart leaped"?

You can use alternatives like "heart skipped a beat", "heart raced", or "heart soared" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "heart leaped" in formal writing?

While generally acceptable, consider the formality of your writing. In very formal contexts, a more subdued phrase might be preferable. In general contexts "heart leaped" is perfectly acceptable.

What's the difference between "heart leaped" and "heart skipped a beat"?

"Heart leaped" suggests a more significant feeling of joy or excitement, while "heart skipped a beat" implies a momentary surprise or slight shock.