a crushing weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a crushing weight" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a heavy burden, either physically or metaphorically, that someone is experiencing. Example: "After the loss of her job, she felt a crushing weight of anxiety pressing down on her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

"You know, Jimmy, odd times, freedom of will is a crushing weight and it's not always possible to choose.

The Guardian - Film

Nolan and Plageman tend to see surveillance as a kind of existential condition — "a crushing weight," as Plageman puts it, "that's just over us all of a sudden".

The New Yorker

It turns out to be a low table that is then used as a bench to scream on, a crushing weight and a cloak.

The New York Times - Arts

He cries a lot, and has volatile sensations, at one moment feeling, "with impressive violence, the possibility of joy," and at another sensing "my skin again as a frontier, and the external world as a crushing weight".

The New Yorker

As I lay in bed that night I felt a crushing weight on me — the weight of his broad shoulders turned away, of the baby inside me, of the furniture and house and pink baby gear.

The New York Times

Stone tells the story through multiple perspectives, but the narrative cuts deepest with Lilia, who blames herself for the loss of their child, carrying "a crushing weight that I hold in my chest like a rough, cold millstone, because I can't take the hurt away from her, I can't unburden her".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Economic stratification has turned the U.S. from a meritocracy into a plutocracy, and the crushing weight of compounding crises in education, housing and healthcare has pushed an escape from humble beginnings further out of reach of many American children.

Huffington Post

"She believed standing between a client and the crushing weight of government power was a political act," she said.

The Washington Post

With its many guns and its crushing weight, a tank destroys everything in its path — right up to the point at which enemy tanks or artillery threaten to turn it into a furnace.

The New Yorker

The scientist father of one of the students then sent the cups into the depths of the Indian Ocean, shrinking them into small trophies for a lesson on the crushing weight of deep water.

The New York Times - Science

Instead, the stunningly ordinary activities of daily life are used as a prism to reflect the crushing weight of what appears to be a conflict that will never end.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a crushing weight" to vividly describe emotional burdens, such as grief, responsibility, or societal pressures, to create a strong impact on the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "a crushing weight" to describe literal, physical weights unless you intend to emphasize the overwhelming or destructive nature of the weight. Instead, consider using more precise terms like "heavy" or "massive" when describing physical objects.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a crushing weight" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object in a sentence. It vividly describes something that feels overwhelmingly heavy and burdensome, either physically or, more commonly, emotionally. The Ludwig AI confirms its usability and grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a crushing weight" is a powerful and evocative expression used to describe an overwhelming burden, whether physical or emotional. Ludwig AI confirms it's correct and usable in written English. While grammatically sound, its usage frequency is uncommon, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. When used appropriately, particularly in creative or descriptive writing, it effectively conveys the intensity and severity of a given burden. Understanding the nuance and context is crucial to avoid misapplication, especially in purely physical descriptions where simpler terms might suffice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an immense burden

This alternative emphasizes the largeness and heaviness of the burden, similar to "a crushing weight".

a heavy load

This phrase is a more general way to describe something burdensome, focusing on the weight aspect.

an unbearable pressure

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being pressed or stressed beyond what can be tolerated.

a tremendous strain

This phrase highlights the stress and effort involved in enduring something difficult.

an overwhelming sense of responsibility

This option is suitable when the weight comes from feeling overly responsible.

a suffocating atmosphere

This alternative describes a situation that feels restrictive and oppressive.

a debilitating influence

This option emphasizes how something weakens or impairs a person or situation.

a paralyzing fear

This phrase highlights fear that inhibits action, creating a sense of being trapped.

a ponderous obligation

This option describes an obligation that is heavy and difficult to fulfill.

an oppressive feeling

This alternative emphasizes the feeling of being weighed down and burdened emotionally.

FAQs

How can I use "a crushing weight" in a sentence?

You can use "a crushing weight" to describe something that feels overwhelmingly heavy, either physically or emotionally. For example, "The responsibility of leading the project felt like a crushing weight".

What are some alternatives to "a crushing weight"?

Alternatives include "immense burden", "heavy load", or "unbearable pressure", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a crushing weight" in formal writing?

Yes, "a crushing weight" is appropriate for formal writing when you want to vividly convey the sense of something being overwhelmingly burdensome. However, ensure that the context aligns with the intensity of the phrase.

What kind of emotional burdens is "a crushing weight" typically used to describe?

"A crushing weight" is often used to describe burdens such as grief, responsibility, societal pressures, or debt. It conveys a sense of being overwhelmed by these burdens.