weigh down: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘weigh down’ mean?
The idiom "weigh down" means to burden or make someone feel heavy with worry, responsibility, or sadness.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "worth one's weight in gold" means that someone or something is extremely valuable or precious.
The idiom "weigh in" means to express or give an opinion on a particular matter, often during a discussion or debate, based on one's knowledge or expertise.
The idiom "weigh against" is a common expression in the English language with a specific meaning. This analysis aims to shed light on the origins and usage of this idiom for a US audience.
The idiom "water down" means to dilute or weaken something, making it less potent or effective.
Water down is an idiom with a clear and well-established meaning. It means to dilute or weaken the strength, intensity, or impact of something. This metaphorical meaning comes from the literal act of adding water to a substance, which reduces its potency or effectiveness.
The idiom "snowed under" means to be overwhelmed or flooded with too much work or responsibilities.
The idiom "snowed under" is an expression commonly used in both spoken and written English, originating from the United States. It is a figurative phrase that refers to the feeling of being overwhelmed or buried by a significant amount of work or responsibilities.
The idiom *rain down* means to fall or descend in large quantities or with force, often used metaphorically to describe a sudden and overwhelming occurrence or event.
The idiom "make heavy weather" means to make a situation difficult or complicated, often by overreacting or exaggerating the difficulties involved.
"Make heavy weather" is an idiom that describes someone who makes a difficult situation or task seem more complex or challenging than it actually is. It implies that the individual is overreacting or exaggerating the difficulty of the situation.
The idiom "make heavy going of" means to find something difficult, slow, or challenging to accomplish. It implies that the task at hand requires a lot of effort and progress is slow.
This idiom means to exaggerate or make something seem more serious or important than it really is.
The idiom "make a mountain out of a molehill" is a well-known phrase that is used to describe someone who exaggerates or blows out of proportion a minor issue or problem. The origins of the idiom can be traced back to the 16th century in English literature.
Decoding the Burden
The idiom *weigh down* is a commonly used expression in the English language. Its origins can be traced back to Old English, where the word *weigh* originally meant to measure the heaviness or mass of an object. Over time, the term *weigh down* emerged as a figurative expression, carrying a metaphorical meaning beyond its literal interpretation.
Today, *weigh down* is used to describe the act of burdening or oppressing someone or something. It conveys the sense of being heavily influenced or affected by a particular situation, thought, or emotion. It implies a state of being overwhelmed or restricted by the weight or pressure of a particular burden.
When someone or something *weighs down* another person, it suggests that they are causing a significant physical or emotional burden. This could be in the form of responsibilities, obligations, problems, or feelings of guilt or sadness. The *weighing down* can be attributed to both internal and external factors, ranging from personal issues to societal pressures.
The idiom *weigh down* is often used in a negative context, highlighting the negative impact of the burden on the individual or situation. It emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down, weighed upon, or weighed under the pressure of something. In this sense, it serves as a powerful tool for describing the emotional weight and strain experienced by individuals in various situations.
One common usage of *weighs down* is in relation to mental health. It is frequently employed to express the sense of being emotionally overwhelmed or weighed down by anxiety, depression, or stress. For example, one may feel *heavy-hearted* and say, "The constant worry about the future weighs me down." In this statement, *weighs down* captures the emotional strain experienced due to excessive worrying.
Furthermore, *weighs down* can also describe the physical burden one experiences. It can refer to *hanging heavy* and carrying a heavy load or object that restricts movement or causes physical exhaustion. For instance, someone might say, "The heavy backpack *weighs me down* during the hike." Here, the idiom illustrates the physical impact of carrying a weight and how it affected the person's ability to hike comfortably.
The idiom *weigh down* is deeply ingrained in the English language and is widely understood by native speakers. It offers a concise and evocative way to express the idea of being burdened, oppressed, or heavily influenced by something, whether it be emotional or physical. As a result, it continues to be a relevant and frequently used expression in both everyday conversation and literature.
Overall, the idiom *weigh down* encapsulates the concept of being overwhelmed, burdened, or oppressed, whether it is in an emotional or physical sense. It conveys the idea of something or someone *giving weight* that restricts, influences, or oppresses individuals or situations. Despite its rich history and current usage, the idiom *weighs against* leaves room for interpretation and exploration, inviting further analysis and reflection on the complexities of human experiences.
Example usage
The idiom "weigh down" is often used to describe a situation where something is causing a burden or making something heavier than it should be. Here are three examples of how this idiom can be used in a sentence:
1. The heavy backpack weighed him down as he climbed up the steep mountain.
2. The stress of her job was weighing her down and affecting her overall well-being.
3. Bad financial decisions can weigh down a person's ability to save money for the future.
More "Burden" idioms
