by heart

Idioms

Also, by rote. From memory; also, mechanically. For example, Betty had trouble learning the song by heart, but her teacher insisted on it, or Japanese schools put heavy emphasis on learning by rote. These terms are often put as. The first term was already used by Chaucer (in Troilus and Cressida). The variant, also dating from the 1300s, often implies mere memorization without deeper understanding. Both phrases remain in use, although this form of learning is no longer so widespread as it once was. Also see commit to memory.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

After five years of earning her living as a medium, Maggie knew by heart the questions that people asked of the dead: Are you there?

From Literature

At 7 Alfred could recite by heart Horace’s Odes—in Latin.

From The Wall Street Journal

"We should never, ever justify racial abuse. Vinicius has had enough of that unjustified behaviour from people. I know Mourinho by heart would agree with me but he expressed himself a bit unfortunately, I believe."

From BBC

On Saturday, Vonn completed her second training run in two days on the Olympic course to re-familiarize herself with a place she already knows by heart.

From The Wall Street Journal

His voice was stronger than ever as he boomed out lyrics everyone knew by heart.

From The Wall Street Journal

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023