IdiomBody & Senses

English

take a load off someone's mind

Meaning: To relieve someone of a worry.

Example: “Hearing that the test results were normal took a load off my mind.”

Origin: Worry is pictured as a heavy burden carried in the mind. The phrase is found from the 19th century.

Equivalents in other languages

French: Ôter une épine du pied à quelqu'un Literally: To take a thorn out of someone's foot

More English idioms

a bottomless pit Something that uses up endless money or effort; also a person who is always hungry.
in the middle of nowhere In a very remote place, far from towns.
out of thin air Appearing from nowhere, as if by magic.
be at a low ebb To be in a poor or weak state.
sit on the fence To avoid taking sides.
take an ax to To cut something drastically, especially spending or jobs.

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