labor under

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "labor under" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe being burdened by a particular belief, misconception, or obligation. An example is: "He labors under the impression that he will be promoted." Alternative expressions include "be burdened by," "suffer from," and "be weighed down by."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Private parties do not labor under these constraints.

The New York Times

Yet Muslim communities labor under widespread suspicion of incubating terrorism.

The Guardian

Until the oil is stopped, the financial markets will labor under an oily coating of fear.

The New York Times

Take Robert Reich, the former secretary of labor under President Clinton.

The New York Times - Magazine

Probably, homeowners also labor under a delusion that their homes will quickly return to value.

The New York Times - Magazine

From 1989 to 1990 Dole served as secretary of labor under Pres.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Poets are distant cousins at most, and labor under a distinctly different set of rules.

The New York Times

In 1999 Kennett's coalition government lost to Labor under Steve (S.P).

Encyclopedia Britannica

The hot spell in Iraq could significantly slow activities involving heavy labor under military rules.

The New York Times

Profits are going to labor under that kind of an environment.

The New York Times

We are the only animals who labor under the awful knowledge of our own inevitable deaths.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use it in professional or journalistic contexts to describe organizations or groups facing systemic constraints, such as "laboring under heavy regulations".

Common error

Avoid using "labor under" when you simply mean working for someone (e.g., "he labors under his boss"). Use "work for" instead. The phrase "labor under" implies a burden, disadvantage or a false belief rather than a standard employment relationship.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "labor under" functions primarily as an intransitive phrasal verb followed by a prepositional phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it is consistently used to denote a state of being influenced or constrained by a specific (usually negative) factor. It acts as a bridge between the subject and the burden they carry, whether that burden is mental, legal or environmental.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

A comprehensive review of the 60 examples provided by Ludwig reveals that "labor under" is a versatile and sophisticated tool for English writers. It serves two main purposes: describing a mental misconception (e.g., laboring under a delusion) and describing oppressive conditions (e.g., laboring under heavy debt or strict regulations). Ludwig AI confirms its status as a grammatically correct and highly recommended phrase for formal writing. Whether you are analyzing a political scenario or a scientific theory, using "labor under" adds a layer of gravity and precision, signaling that the subject is struggling against a significant, often invisible, weight. By choosing this phrase over simpler alternatives like "have the wrong idea", you elevate the tone of your narrative while clearly communicating the difficulty of the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be under the illusion

Focuses specifically on holding a false belief rather than a general burden

suffer from the misconception

Emphasizes the negative consequences of the wrong belief

be burdened by

A more direct, non-idiomatic way to describe being weighed down

be weighed down by

Highlights the heavy metaphorical or physical pressure

operate under

Used when describing working within specific rules, conditions or constraints

toil under

Increases the intensity of the physical effort involved

hold the mistaken belief

A formal and explicit description of the cognitive state

work under

A more literal variation often used for hierarchical or environmental conditions

struggle with

Focuses on the internal or external fight against a difficulty

be misled by

Passively identifies the source of the false impression

FAQs

How do I use "labor under" in a sentence?

You can use it to show someone is hindered by an idea or a condition. For example, "Many people still "labor under the delusion" that success happens overnight".

What can I say instead of "labor under"?

Depending on your intent, you can use phrases like "be under the illusion", "be burdened by" or "suffer from".

What is the difference between "labor under" and "work under"?

While "work under" is often literal (working under a manager or a contract), "labor under" almost always implies a heavy, difficult or false condition that makes progress harder.

Is "labor under" too formal for an email?

It is a neutral to formal phrase. It is perfectly acceptable in professional emails, especially when discussing challenges or "misunderstandings".