Wear one's heart on one's sleeve
Meaning
To openly express or display one's emotions and feelings rather than concealing them.
Origin
Picture a knight in a medieval jousting tournament, proudly displaying his lady's favor—a ribbon or scarf—tied conspicuously to his sleeve. This wasn't merely decorative; it was a public, undeniable declaration of his love and devotion, a physical manifestation of his heart's allegiance for all to witness. While the tradition of wearing such a 'favor' on one's sleeve dates back further, the phrase truly solidified its place in the English language through Shakespeare's Othello in the early 17th century, where it captured the essence of openly exposing one's deepest emotions and vulnerabilities to the world.
Examples
- She always wears her heart on her sleeve, so you never have to guess how she's truly feeling about a situation.
- It's hard for him to hide his disappointment because he consistently wears his heart on his sleeve during competitive games.