heartstrings

[ hahrt-stringz ]

/ ˈhɑrtˌstrɪŋz /

the deepest feelings; the strongest affections: to tug at one's heartstrings.

Origin of heartstrings

First recorded in 1475–85; heart + strings

Say what you will, though, he never tried to tug at our heartstrings by making Marlowe an orphan.

Can Pulp Win the Booker? |Allen Barra |September 7, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Sometimes I see tabloid stuff online and it tugs at my heartstrings.

Sandra Bullock's Ex Jesse James Opens Up |Marlow Stern |May 5, 2011 |DAILY BEAST
Yet he felt the tug at his heartstrings as he never had before.

The Life of Nelson, Vol. II. (of 2) |A. T. (Alfred Thayer) Mahan
“I understand,” he said softly, still clinging to the fingers, every throb of which struck appealingly on his heartstrings.

The Plunderer |Roy Norton

There was something tugging at his heartstrings, and presently he turned slowly, painfully again.

An Apache Princess |Charles King
All the tightening of her heartstrings, long drawn taut by repression, relaxed.

It Pays to Smile |Nina Wilcox Putnam
Was she to wait for another appalling knock, like that, to set her heartstrings vibrating anew?

When Ghost Meets Ghost |William Frend De Morgan

heartstrings

/ (ˈhɑːtˌstrɪŋz) /

often facetious deep emotions or feelings

C15: originally referring to the tendons supposed to support the heart