at heart

adverb

in reality (Freq. 2)

-

she is very kind at heart

• Syn: ↑at bottom, ↑deep down, ↑inside, ↑in spite of appearance

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DEEP DOWN, basically, fundamentally, essentially, in essence, intrinsically; really, actually, truly, in fact; informal when you get right down to it.

→ heart

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at heart

1. In one's real character

2. Substantially

• • •

Main Entry: ↑heart

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at heart phrase

used for saying what someone’s basic character is

I’m really a country person at heart.

Thesaurus: words used to describe someone's personality_hyponym general words for a person's character_synonym

Main entry: heart

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in one's real nature, in contrast to how one may appear

he's a good guy at heart

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at heart

1 : at the most basic level

I'm really a romantic at heart.

She's 81 years old, but she's still young at heart. [=she behaves and thinks like a much younger person]

2 : as a main concern

We have your best interests at heart. [=we want to do what is best for you]

• • •

Main Entry: ↑heart

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at ˈheart idiom

used to say what sb is really like even though they may seem to be sth different

•

He's still a socialist at heart.

Main entry: ↑heart_idiom