"heart gave a bound" and "missed my way" phrases

Question

"heart gave a bound" and "missed my way"

Does "heart gave a bound" suggest a fluttering heart due to excitement of some kind?

And does "missed my way", as in, "I missed my way among the dark streets until I came to the bridge", suggest stumbling and blundering along the way?

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Anonymous "heart gave a bound"
"missed my way" We have the expression "by leaps and bounds," which implies that "a bound" in the singular is a very strong and positive act. "Fluttering" doesn't fit this image. I'd describe "heart gave a bound" as a sudden, strong response. Of course if the heart beats only once, you're in trouble.
I think the idea is that the heart normally operates at a steady, even, moderate pace, and suddenly we felt a reaction (usually figuratively) like a hammer blow. Sometimes we talk about the heart racing in these circumstances.
But I'd say that "bounding," "racing," and "fluttering" are all different things. (Fluttering is also bad news anatomically.) This is rather poetic language, and doesn't necessary correspond to the actual performance of the heart, although it may in some cases.

I think you have "missed my way" wrong. It usually means you took a wrong turn. The reason you did it is not implied by the expression.

If you're drunk or exhausted, you may be more likely to take a wrong turn, but that's another matter.

When you say, "until I came to the bridge," it suggests that you're describing a still different situation.
You didn't recognize anything, but you kept on going. Finally, you recognized the bridge.

Sometimes when we're "lost," we seem to travel in circles. But I don't think that's what you mean.

"Lost my way" is the more common collocation. I think this is what you want.
"Missed my way" is less common (it may be British, I don't know), but if I heard it I'd think "took a wrong turn."

If you lose your way, you can find it again.
If you miss your way, it's gone. It's like missing the bus.

Anonymous · Answer

I missed my way among the streets, and presently saw down a long avenue, in the halflight

of the early dawn, the curve of Primrose Hill.

AND

At that my heart gave a bound, and I began running along the road.

Taken from the source.

Avangi · Answer

AnonymousTaken from the source.

Thanks, Anon.

"heart gave a bound" and "missed my way" phrases

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