heart to heart talks

Meaning

1. 1phraseplural

   Serious, honest discussions between two people or groups about important personal or political matters.

   Grammar: Plural noun phrase; the singular is 'heart to heart talk'. Often used with 'hold' or 'have'.

   Patterns

   • hold heart to heart talks with someone
   • have heart to heart talks
   • heart to heart talks between A and B

   The two leaders held heart to heart talks to ease tensions.

   After months of conflict, the families finally had heart to heart talks.

   The union and management agreed to heart to heart talks about wages.

Word forms

Common combinations

hold heart to heart talks

The president held heart to heart talks with his advisers.

heart to heart talks between

Heart to heart talks between the two sides resumed yesterday.

have heart to heart talks

They had heart to heart talks to save their marriage.

Synonyms and how they differ

heart-to-heart

This is the singular form and can be used as a noun; 'heart to heart talks' is always plural.

frank discussions

This is more formal and can be used in official contexts; it does not necessarily imply personal feelings.

Word family

heart to heart talk phrase

Singular form: a serious, honest conversation.

heart-to-heart adjective

Describing a talk that is honest and personal.

Commonly confused: heart to heart talks or heart to heart conversation?

Practice

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