excess baggage

USAGE SUMMARY

"excess baggage" is an appropriate term to use in written English, and it typically refers to personal possessions that a person has in excess of what is allowed or necessary.
For example, "I wish I hadn't brought so much excess baggage for this trip; now I'll be paying for overweight fees!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Excess baggage.

The Guardian - Music

I'll be carrying it as excess baggage.

The Guardian - Books

This book needs no excess baggage.

The New York Times - Books

The rest is just excess baggage.

The Guardian

Vladimir Putin's favourite conductors both travel with excess baggage.

Independent

"Sometimes, I'd have to pay for excess baggage.

The New York Times

"No excess baggage, nothing you can't leave behind," he counsels.

The New Yorker

Ironically, today, the Time War is that excess baggage.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

KLM charges excess baggage rates for transporting a pet.

The New York Times

The loss of Excess Baggage is a blow.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If it did, Horowitz would need an excess baggage allowance like no other.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "excess baggage" in the context of air travel, be specific about whether you're referring to weight, size, or number of bags to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "excess baggage" to describe minor inconveniences; reserve it for situations that genuinely represent a significant burden or problem.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excess baggage" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It refers to items exceeding the allowed limit, or metaphorically, to emotional or psychological burdens. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase is appropriate in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

6%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "excess baggage" is a commonly used noun phrase with two primary meanings: luggage exceeding the permitted limit and a figurative representation of emotional or psychological burdens. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is appropriate for written English. It is frequently found in news and media contexts, and while its grammatical structure is sound, writers should be mindful of its potential for misinterpretation in figurative contexts. Alternatives such as "overweight luggage" or ""emotional baggage"" can provide greater clarity depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Overweight luggage

Focuses specifically on the weight aspect of baggage exceeding limits.

Oversized baggage

Highlights the size rather than the weight exceeding limits.

Extra luggage

A more general term for additional baggage.

Additional baggage

Similar to 'extra luggage', indicating more baggage than initially planned.

Surplus possessions

Broader term encompassing any extra items one owns, not just during travel.

Unnecessary burden

Figurative usage referring to something causing stress or difficulty.

Excess weight

Highlights the concept of having too much weight, either literally or figuratively.

Superfluous items

Focuses on items being unnecessary or redundant.

Emotional baggage

Refers to past emotional issues that one carries.

Unwanted cargo

Emphasizes the unwanted or undesirable nature of the extra items.

FAQs

How is "excess baggage" typically used in a sentence?

In sentences, "excess baggage" can refer to luggage exceeding the allowed limit, as in, "I had to pay for "excess baggage" at the airport." It can also refer to a figurative burden, like, "She carries a lot of "emotional baggage" from her past."

What are some alternatives to "excess baggage" when referring to luggage?

When referring to luggage, alternatives include "overweight luggage", "extra luggage", or "additional baggage". These terms directly relate to baggage exceeding specified limits.

In what context is it appropriate to use "excess baggage" figuratively?

The phrase is suitable for describing burdens like unresolved emotional issues or responsibilities. For example, "He needed to shed some "unnecessary burden" before moving forward."

Is "excess baggage" the same as "emotional baggage"?

While both phrases involve carrying something extra, "excess baggage" can refer to physical items or abstract burdens, while ""emotional baggage"" specifically relates to unresolved psychological or emotional issues from the past.