not have the heart to do something

not have the heart to do something
not have the heart (to (do something)) to lack the desire or strength to do something.

I didn't have the heart to tell him his injury would prevent him from playing football.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the form have the heart to do something - be able to do something:

How could we have the heart to disappoint Mom?

Related vocabulary: not have the stomach for something

New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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