heartbeat
/ˈhɑːtbiːt/noun
1- the pulsation of the heart心脏的搏动。
1.1
- （一般heartbeats）a single pulsation of the heart心跳：
her heartbeats steadied.
她的心跳平稳了下来。
1.2
- figurative a person or thing providing or representing an animating or vital unifying force〈喻〉活力之所在; 维系人心者; 中心：
Ontario has long been the commercial heartbeat of Canada.
安大略省长期以来一直是加拿大商业活力的中心。
短语
a heartbeat away
- from very close to; on the verge of近在咫尺：
laughter was only a heartbeat from tears.
哭笑之间, 咫尺而已。