play on someone's heartstrings

present singular third person plays on someone's heartstrings · participle present playing on someone's heartstrings · participle past played on someone's heartstrings · past played on someone's heartstrings

1. idiomaticTo produce a strong emotional effect on someone, especially of compassion, love or sadness.

   I love you more each day I love the music you play on my heartstrings I feel you in every way Reach for touch, you play on my heartstrings

   1986, “Heartstrings”, performed by Berlin

   1 more example

   “Why can't you just tell me? You're my only friend.” My words play on her heartstrings like I hoped they would, because her features soften.

   2015, K Webster, Becoming Her Series

   Synonyms: pull at someone's heartstrings, tug at someone's heartstrings