her heart take wing

[alpacinou]

What is the meaning of the second sentence in the examples on this page?

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/take-wing

Her heart had taken wing as she and Mandy had walked down into the lodge.

I know "take wing" means to fly, but what does it mean in that example?

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

What is the meaning of the second sentence in the examples on this page?

https://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/take-wing

Her heart had taken wing as she and Mandy had walked down into the lodge.

I know "take wing" means to fly, but what does it mean in that example?

It's figurative.

 

[alpacinou]

It's figurative.

I know. Does it meat she became extremely happy?

Can I use it like that?

1. Her heart took wing after seeing his text.
2. His heart would take wing at the mention of her name.
3. My heart took wing after I found out we had lobster for dinner.
4. My heart takes wing every time I listen to this song.

Are the sentences I have written natural and correct?

 

[probus]

I think "her heart took wing" and "she fell in love" are rather similar in meaning. Being in love usually makes people feel very happy. So, yes, although it seems far too strong a reaction to lobster for dinner.

 

[alpacinou]

I think "her heart took wing" and "she fell in love" are rather similar in meaning. Being in love usually makes people feel very happy. So, yes.

What do you think about those four sentences in post #3?

 

[probus]

To me, 1, 2, and 4 are fine. You must have asked while I was busy editing my reply to cast doubt on 3.

 

[alpacinou]

Can I get away with saying this in a humorous way? Or would it be weird?

My heart took wing after I found out we had lobster for dinner.

 

[alpacinou]

To me, 1, 2, and 4 are fine.

But, in my examples, the expression means became extremely happy. It doesn't mean falling in love.

1. Her heart took wing [she became extremely happy] after seeing his text.
2. His heart would take [he would become extremely happy] wing at the mention of her name.
4. My heart takes wing [I become extremely happy] every time I listen to this song.

 

[probus]

Sure. I only said they were rather similar, not identical in meaning.

 

[probus]

Can I get away with saying this in a humorous way? Or would it be weird?

My heart took wing after I found out we had lobster for dinner.

I wouldn't get the joke, or see the joke as I believe they say in BrE. It is notoriously difficult to joke in a language other than one's mother tongue.

 

[alpacinou]

Okay, I will forget the lobster example. But just so I'm clear, are these 3 perfectly okay and natural? I really need to be sure:

1. Her heart took wing after seeing his text.
2. His heart would take wing at the mention of her name.
3. My heart takes wing every time I listen to this song.

Can they be used in everyday conversation?

 

[emsr2d2]

Everyday conversation? Unlikely. Literary writing/fiction/poetry? Yes.

 

[alpacinou]

Everyday conversation? Unlikely. Literary writing/fiction/poetry? Yes.

Okay, so those 3 sentences are completely okay for writing. Right?

I insist because I like them a lot! Is it possible some people don't like them as schmaltzy sentences?

 

[emsr2d2]

It depends who you're writing to/for! As always, context and audience are important.

 

[alpacinou]

It depends who you're writing to/for! As always, context and audience are important.

How would you react if you heard this in an advertisement for a vacation for example:

Your heart will take wing as you lie down on the white sand beaches and watch the placid waters shimmer under the sun.

 

[GoesStation]

I'd think "typical marketing fluff" if I gave it any thought at all.

 

[alpacinou]

I'd think "typical marketing fluff" if I gave it any thought at all.

Okay how would you react if you heard a friend say it after a vacation?

My heart would take wing as I lay down on the white sand beaches and watched the placid waters shimmer under the sun. Man! I'm suffering from post-vacation blues right now!

 

[GoesStation]

Okay how would you react if you heard a friend say it after a vacation?

My heart would take wing as I lay down on the white sand beaches and watched the placid waters shimmer under the sun. Man! I'm suffering from post-vacation blues right now!

I'd wonder what he'd been smoking. People don't talk like that.

 

[probus]

I'd find a new friend, and I am not joking. "Her heart took wing" is much too florid for everyday conversation. In a piece of writing of a certain style it would be okay, say in a Harlequin romance.

As a footnote, in my youth I had a friend who wrote Harlequin romance novels on the afternoon shift, 4PM to midnight. It was like a factory you see, cranking them out. Right after work she'd join us at the pub and get blind drunk in a hurry. It was a kind of antidote I suppose.

 

[alpacinou]

I guess the problem is that we use that kind of stuff in our everyday conversations in my language. I mean it's not par for the course, but it's not something that would have your interlocutor staring at you with an open mouth and wide eyes!