Meaning
To gain courage, confidence, or renewed hope, especially after discouragement or difficulty.
It’s typically said as gentle encouragement, pointing to some specific reason for optimism rather than empty reassurance.
Origin
The phrase rests on the very old association between the heart and courage, an idea running through both biblical language and centuries of literary tradition, where a person’s “heart” stands for their inner reserve of bravery and resolve rather than simply the physical organ. This connection survives directly in the English word “courage” itself, derived from the Latin “cor” (heart), and “take heart” fits naturally into this same conceptual family, alongside related expressions like “lose heart” or “heavy-hearted,” all treating the heart as the seat of emotional strength or its absence.
Examples
Take heart, the results aren’t final yet.
She took heart from the small progress they’d made so far.
Take heart, everyone struggles with this at first.
A: I don’t think I passed the exam. B: Take heart, you won’t know until the results are out.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'Take heart' mean?
To gain courage, confidence, or renewed hope, especially after discouragement or difficulty.
It’s typically said as gentle encouragement, pointing to some specific reason for optimism rather than empty reassurance.