heart skips a beat
idiom
informal
—used to say that someone is suddenly very surprised, excited, or nervous about something
When I learned I was on live television, my heart skipped a beat.
The shocking news made her heart skip a beat.
Examples of heart skips a beat in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Featuring selections from the best composers—Verdi to Romberg, Bernstein to Lloyd Webber—this irresistible recital will inspire you, rekindle fond memories, and might even make your heart skip a beat!
—
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
To say the spotlight’s on you would be an understatement, as this not only amplifies your beauty and charisma but also attracts romantic encounters that make your heart skip a beat.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024
There is something about its cheap hotels, tacky bars, blue-plate diners and derelict trailer parks that make my heart skip a beat.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
When New York magazine’s finance advice columnist dropped an article that went viral on Thursday about falling victim to a $50,000 scam, my heart skipped a beat.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
My heart skips a beat when the ship gets close to the Sydney Opera House with its white sail-like forms.
—Georgina Cruz, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Its façade in wood and stone is modest but still manages to make my heart skip a beat.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2023
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
News Release, San Diego Union-Tribune, 17 Jan. 2025
To say the spotlight’s on you would be an understatement, as this not only amplifies your beauty and charisma but also attracts romantic encounters that make your heart skip a beat.
—Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 7 Sep. 2024
There is something about its cheap hotels, tacky bars, blue-plate diners and derelict trailer parks that make my heart skip a beat.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Mar. 2024
When New York magazine’s finance advice columnist dropped an article that went viral on Thursday about falling victim to a $50,000 scam, my heart skipped a beat.
—Ron Lieber, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2024
My heart skips a beat when the ship gets close to the Sydney Opera House with its white sail-like forms.
—Georgina Cruz, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2024
Its façade in wood and stone is modest but still manages to make my heart skip a beat.
—Arati Menon, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Aug. 2023
Dictionary Entries Near heart skips a beat
Cite this Entry
“Heart skips a beat.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heart%20skips%20a%20beat. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share