IdiomBody & Senses
English
Englishshoulder the burden
Meaning: To take on a heavy responsibility.
Example: “The eldest sister shouldered the burden of caring for their father.”
Origin: A load carried on the shoulders. The phrase is common in English from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Polish: wziąć na barki Literally: To take on the shoulders
More English idioms
- gild the lily To spoil something already perfect by adding to it.
- borrow trouble To worry about problems that may never happen.
- act like one owns the place To behave with arrogant disregard for others.
- once in a lifetime So rare that it will probably happen only once.
- cook the books To falsify figures, especially accounts.
- out of one's league Too good, attractive or expensive for someone to have a chance with.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Без царя в голове (Bez tsarya v golove) Foolish and reckless — with no one in charge upstairs.
- Cabeça de alho chocho A forgetful scatterbrain whose thoughts won't stay put.
- Tu es mon rayon de soleil A warm way to tell someone they brighten your day.
Keep exploring