play on someone's heartstrings

play on someone's heartstrings (third-person singular simple present plays on someone's heartstrings, present participle playing on someone's heartstrings, simple past and past participle played on someone's heartstrings)

1. (idiomatic) To produce strong emotions of sadness or pity in someone.

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

   • 1986, “Heartstrings”, performed by Berlin:

     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
     

   • 2015, K Webster, Becoming Her Series:

     “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.