heavy lifting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heavy lifting" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase can be used to refer to difficult and time-consuming tasks, such as when you have to do research for an important project. For example, "I've finished the light work, now it's time to do the heavy lifting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Heavy lifting.

The New York Times

"That's heavy lifting," he said.

The New York Times

"Now is the heavy lifting.

The New York Times

That's heavy lifting.

The New York Times

This isn't heavy lifting".

The New York Times

"They do the heavy lifting," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I remember thinking this is heavy lifting.

The New York Times

"There's a lot of heavy lifting".

The New York Times - Arts

"She did all the heavy lifting".

The New York Times - Sports

Most of the heavy lifting is done".

The New Yorker

It will be heavy lifting.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "heavy lifting" to describe the core, most effort-intensive aspects of a project or task. Avoid using it for simple or routine activities.

Common error

Don't use "heavy lifting" to describe routine or easy tasks. This can diminish the impact of the phrase and make your writing sound hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heavy lifting" functions as a noun phrase often used metaphorically to describe the most demanding or difficult part of a task or endeavor. Ludwig examples show it in contexts ranging from political negotiations to physical activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heavy lifting" is a common noun phrase that signifies the most demanding aspect of an endeavor. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives like "demanding work" or "arduous task" in academic or highly professional settings. Remember to reserve "heavy lifting" for truly significant efforts to avoid diluting its impact, also its use could be also physical as the examples suggests.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

demanding work

Focuses on the difficulty of the work involved.

arduous task

Emphasizes the strenuous and laborious nature of the task.

difficult endeavor

Highlights the challenging nature of the undertaking.

challenging assignment

Stresses the complexity and demands of the assigned work.

complex undertaking

Focuses on the intricate and multifaceted nature of the project.

laborious effort

Highlights the amount of effort required.

tough slog

Suggests a long and difficult period of hard work.

the hard part

A more general term for the most difficult aspect.

the grunt work

Focuses on the tedious and unglamorous aspects of the work.

main burden

Highlights the weight and responsibility of the task.

FAQs

How can I use "heavy lifting" in a sentence?

You can use "heavy lifting" to describe the most demanding part of a task or project. For example, "The team completed the initial planning, now comes the "heavy lifting" of implementation".

What are some alternatives to saying "heavy lifting"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "demanding work", "arduous task", or "difficult endeavor".

Is it appropriate to use "heavy lifting" in formal writing?

While "heavy lifting" is generally acceptable, in very formal contexts, consider using more precise and professional terms like "complex undertaking" or "laborious effort".

What does it mean when someone says they did the "heavy lifting"?

It means they completed the most difficult or time-consuming parts of a project or task. For example, "Mendes had already done the "heavy lifting"" means that Mendes had already completed the most difficult or time consuming task.