What Does “Weigh sb down” Mean?
“Weigh sb down” means to make someone feel burdened or overwhelmed, either physically or emotionally.
Introduction
The phrase “Weigh sb down” is a common phrasal verb in English. It describes a situation where someone feels heavy or burdened because of problems, responsibilities, or even physical weight. Understanding the “Weigh sb down meaning” helps you describe feelings of stress or difficulty clearly. It can be used in many real-life situations, from talking about emotional stress to carrying a heavy load. This phrasal verb adds color and depth to your conversations and writing.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: Weigh somebody down
- Type: Transitive
- Level: B2
- Meaning: To cause someone to feel burdened or troubled
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Weigh sb down” is a transitive, inseparable phrasal verb. This means you cannot separate the verb and the particle with the object.
Pattern: Subject + weigh + somebody + down
Example: The heavy backpack weighs me down.
How to Use Weigh sb down?
You can use “Weigh sb down” to talk about physical or emotional burdens. It often refers to something that makes a person feel tired, stressed, or slowed down. The object is usually a person (somebody) who is being burdened.
It is common in both formal and informal contexts. You can use it when describing situations at work, school, or personal life.
Examples
Here are some examples to help you understand how to use “Weigh sb down in a sentence”:
- The constant worries about money began to weigh her down.
- Don’t let doubts weigh you down before your exam.
- The heavy coat weighed him down during the hike.
- She felt weighed down by all the responsibilities at home.
- The fear of failure weighed him down, but he kept trying.
Common Mistakes
People sometimes separate the phrasal verb incorrectly or use the wrong object. Here are some examples:
- Incorrect: The problems weigh down her.
- Correct: The problems weigh her down.
- Incorrect: He was weighed down by his worries (correct meaning but passive form is less common).
- Correct: His worries weigh him down.
Differences / Synonyms
“Weigh sb down” is similar to “burden someone” or “hold someone back.” However, “weigh down” often implies a heavier or more physical feeling, while “burden” is more emotional or metaphorical.
For example, “The heavy bag weighed her down” is more physical. But “The stress of work burdened her” is emotional. Both can overlap depending on context.
Common Collocations
We often use “Weigh sb down” with objects related to emotions or physical weight. Here are some common collocations:
- Worries, fears, doubts: emotional burdens
- Responsibilities, problems: tasks or issues that cause stress
- Heavy bags, coats, luggage: physical weight
- Thoughts: mental burden
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of weigh sb down:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation showing how “Weigh sb down” is used naturally:
Alice: You look tired. Is something wrong?
Ben: Yeah, work has been really stressful lately. It’s starting to weigh me down.
Alice: Maybe you should take a break and relax for a bit.
Practice
Try filling in the blanks with the correct form of “Weigh sb down”:
- The heavy suitcase _______ me _______ during the trip.
- Don’t let your fears _______ you _______.
- All these responsibilities are starting to _______ her _______.
FAQ
- What does “Weigh sb down” mean? It means to make someone feel physically or emotionally burdened.
- Is “Weigh sb down” separable? No, it’s an inseparable phrasal verb.
- Can it be used for physical weight? Yes, it can describe something heavy physically or emotionally.
- What level is this phrasal verb? It is suitable for intermediate learners (B2 level).
- Can “Weigh sb down” be used in formal writing? Yes, it can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
