tear somebody's heart
tear at somebody's heart

The haunting pain in his eyes tore at her heart.

It was the picture of the couple that tore at her heart.

The pain in the girl's eyes tore at her heart.

Can you imagine the hope and the fear that must be tearing at his heart?

It tore at his heart, but he could see no other way.

He laughed again, but the pain in his laughter tore at her heart.

That smile tore at his heart harder than any words.

The bleak expression in his eyes tore at her heart.

Not that the concrete has to be ripped up to tear at his heart.

No wonder then, the loss tore at her heart so painfully.