tug/tear/pull at somebody's heartstringsFORCE somebody TO DO somethingto make someone feel strong love or sympathy 打动某人的心弦tug/tear/pull at somebody’s heartstrings• It pulls at the heartstrings of every agent out there to see a young lady or anyone jeopardized by these conditions.• That night the little creature did not stop crying and its pitiful little squeak tore at Aggie's heartstrings.
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