Dictionary definition of “pull a heart muscle”

pull a heart muscle

v. phr. to withdraw, back out, or retreat from a competition, conflict, or obligation; to chicken out. Subjects: English, Australia, Slang

Editorial Note: To pull a heart muscle is similar to having tiny heart syndrome.

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Citations: 1995 [Alex M. Bulach] Usenet: rec.sport.football.australian (May 31) “Port V Norwood Predictions”: Robran pulls a heart muscle—Rowe snaps his knee in half. 1996 Boti Nagy The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia) (Sept. 30) “Braveheart Sixers come back into finals focus”: North finished Friday’s game with import forward Paul Maley out after reinjuring his back, Tonny Jensen appearing to have pulled a heart muscle, and only Darryl McDonald and Pat Reidy able to leave the floor with their reputations intact. 1997 Mark Duffield @ Sydney West Australian (Osborne Park, West Australia) (Aug. 8) “It’s Not All Fair And Equitable, Busse Bodies” p. 61: The tribunal pulled a heart muscle and made a rod for its back every time it gives a player two weeks on a less serious charge. 2000 Luke McIlveen, Natasha Bita Weekend Australian (Sept. 30) “Bulgarians syringe litterers, says Richo” p. 10: Mr Richardson claimed the strict anti-doping policies employed at the Games had prevented most drug cheats from setting foot in the village. “A lot of people who went home early with injuries I believe actually pulled a heart muscle and left because they knew what would happen to them.” 2005 Andrea Petrie The Age (Melbourne, Australia) (Oct. 15) “One false move…”: Others may have simply backed out, daunted by what they know will follow—in the macho parlance of some coppers they’ve “pulled a heart muscle.”

Posted 25 Oct 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend