To Dig in (one's) Heels

Idiom: to dig in (one's) heels; used as a verb

First Example:

Jennifer: How is the wedding planning going?

James: Ugh.

Jennifer: That bad, huh? What's wrong now?

James: We can't agree on the music. I just want to have a DJ, but Natalie has dug in her heels on an expensive live band. She won't even consider any of the alternatives I suggested.

Jennifer: Just like she dug in her heels with that expensive hotel?

James: Yep, and I assumed she'll dig in her heels on some expensive flowers as well.

Jennifer: Well, it is her wedding day, so she wants it to be special.

James: It's my wedding day as well, and I don't want us spending the next ten years paying off loans!

Meaning: To "dig in (one's) heels" is a phrase that means to refuse to give in. This idiom is used when a person stubbornly refuses to change an opinion or action.  In the example, James says his fiancé Natalie is digging in her heels about wedding options that are too expensive.

Unusual for an English expression, the preposition in this idiom can be moved to the end without affecting the meaning. The expression to dig (one's) heels in (with the preposition at the end) is also correct and has the same meaning.

Here is an example of that usage:  

Michelle: How about sushi for dinner?

Greg: I don't want to go out. Can't we just order a pizza?   

Michelle: Well, I wanted something healthier than bread and cheese. How about that new salad place? That's not far?

Greg: Can't you get a salad from a pizza place?

Michelle: Not a good one. Let's go out.

Greg: There has to be a healthy delivery place. Let me look online.

Michelle: Wow, you're really digging your heels in on delivery, aren't you?

Greg: I just had a long day, and I'd rather stay home.

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To have a heart

Idiom: To have a heart; used as a verb 

Example:

Maria: Look at these adorable puppies my friend posted on facebook. They're looking for homes. Maybe we should adopt one?

Neil: We don't need a dog.

Maria: Why not? They're so adorable, and they need homes. And I have been thinking a pet could be fun.

Neil: I don't know.

Maria: Oh, have a heart. At least go look at them with me and think about it. They need homes, and we have one.

Neil: OK, we can go see the puppies tomorrow, but I'm not promising anything.

Meaning: The expression "have a heart" means to be compassionate, generous or forgiving. In the example above, Maria tells Neil to "have a heart" when he initially rejects her suggestion that they adopt a puppy. This imperative usage (telling someone to do something) is one of the most common ways to use this idiom. When a person rejects something that is compassionate, generous or forgiving, someone else might say "have a heart;" this suggests that the person should reconsider.

In addition to the imperative usage above, the idiom is also often used with the word "if," as in the following example:

Christine: I know you're still mad at Daniel for scratching your car, but he apologized and offered to pay for it. 

Thomas: I know, but it was really irresponsible of him.

Christine: If you had a heart, you would just forgive Daniel and move on.

Meaning: In this case, saying "if you had a heart" is almost a challenge, telling someone that they need to be more compassionate, generous or forgiving (as in this specific example).

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