Phrase guide

have one's heart in the right place

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

verb

Meaning 1

To have good intentions.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • My brother doesn't always do the right thing, but he has his heart in the right place.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: sydän on paikallaan — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned
  • French: avoir bon fond — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned
  • French: avoir bon cœur — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned
  • Hungarian: helyén van a szíve — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned
  • Polish: mieć dobre intencje — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned
  • Russian: име́ть до́брые наме́рения (imétʹ dóbryje namérenija) — to have good intentions, to be well-intentioned