search one's heart

search one's heart or search one's soul  {v. phr.},  {formal}
To study your reasons and acts; try to discover if you have been fair and honest.
The teacher searched his heart trying to decide if he had been unfair in failing Tom.
- heart-searching or soul-searching  {n.} or  {adj.}
After much heart-searching, Jean told Beth she was sorry for the unkind things she had said.
The minister preached a soul-searching sermon about the thoughtless ways people hurt each other.
Categories: feelings {adj.} {formal} {n.} {v. phr.}