a burden off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a burden off" is not correct in English as it is incomplete.
It is typically used in the context of relieving someone from a responsibility or worry, often in the form "take a burden off." Example: "After finishing the project, I felt like a burden was off my shoulders."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"That will take a burden off Drew.

The New York Times - Sports

"This takes a burden off my chest," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

"It seems like such a burden off my shoulders".

The New York Times

Receiving a scholarship from The Times, he said, "took a burden off my mother's back".

The New York Times

Eric Gordon, the Cleveland school district's chief academic officer, says the new approach took a burden off his counselors.

The New York Times

He said he never felt right about that, so he delivered the medal back to Churandy Martina — a burden off Crawford's back, even though Olympics leaders refused to remove him from the record book.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

"It's a huge burden off," said Mazdzer, who narrowly missed making the Olympic team as a high school senior in 2006 and finished 13th at the Vancouver Games in 2010.

The New York Times - Sports

"What we need to see is a greater commitment around the world to not just shunting this burden off to a handful of countries," Josh Earnest, the White House press secretary, said last week.

The New York Times

It's like a burden lifted off of us".

The New York Times

And that a burden was taken off the South by the loss of that Vietnam War.

Yale University

One anonymous student says: "When people begin to feel a burden and shut off it becomes a real problem".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the complete and grammatically correct form "take a burden off" or "lift a burden off" to clearly express the idea of relieving someone of a responsibility or worry.

Common error

Avoid using the incomplete phrase "a burden off" on its own. Always pair it with a verb like "take", "lift", or "remove" to form a complete and meaningful expression.

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as an incomplete nominal phrase that typically requires a verb such as "take" or "lift" to form a complete thought. Ludwig AI examples illustrate its usage in conveying relief or reduced responsibility when used correctly.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a burden off" is grammatically incomplete and typically requires a verb like "take" or "lift" to form a complete expression. Ludwig AI indicates that the intended meaning is to convey relief or reduced responsibility. While understandable on its own, it's better to use complete phrases such as "take a burden off" or "lift a burden off" for clarity and grammatical correctness. Common alternatives include "a weight lifted" or "relief from pressure". Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase has a neutral register, making it versatile in various communication styles. Therefore, ensure completeness when using this phrase to effectively communicate the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a weight lifted

This alternative suggests a sense of relief, similar to removing a physical weight.

relief from pressure

Focuses on the reduction of stress or strain.

a load taken off

Implies that responsibilities or obligations have been removed.

feeling unburdened

Highlights the emotional state of being free from worries.

responsibilities reduced

Directly states the decrease in duties or tasks.

alleviation of stress

Emphasizes the reduction in mental or emotional tension.

lessened obligation

Focuses on diminished duties or requirements.

freed from concern

Highlights the liberation from worry or anxiety.

mind at ease

Suggests a state of mental peace and tranquility.

sense of liberation

Emphasizes the feeling of being released from constraints.

FAQs

How can I properly use the expression "a burden off" in a sentence?

The phrase "a burden off" is incomplete and grammatically incorrect. Use complete phrases like "take "a burden off"" or "lift "a burden off"" to convey the intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to saying "take a burden off"?

You can use alternatives like "relieve the pressure", "ease the load", or "a weight lifted" to express similar ideas of reducing someone's responsibilities or worries.

Is it correct to say "I feel a burden off my shoulders"?

While the meaning is understandable, it's more grammatically correct and common to say "I feel a weight lifted off my shoulders" or "I feel like a burden has been lifted off my shoulders".

What's the difference between "a burden off" and "a weight off"?

"A weight off" is a more common and idiomatic expression used to describe a feeling of relief. "A burden off" requires a verb such as "take" or "lift" to be grammatically complete.