load of baggage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "load of baggage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has many emotional issues or past experiences that affect their current situation or relationships. Example: "After the breakup, she realized she was carrying a load of baggage that she needed to address before moving on."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

One of Minecraft's major abilities for young people is that it's really accessible and unintimidating, whereas books can come with a load of baggage that – for some children anyway – is quite off-putting".

The Guardian - Tech

"Or I could go buy something for my girlfriend," he said, in a tone that suggested there was no girlfriend, or if there were, then there might be a load of baggage attached.

The New York Times - Style

'It's when you start playing golf.' Coupland fans may be relieved to know that while he is a man who carries around a heavy load of baggage, it does not yet include a set of golf clubs.

The Guardian - Books

Perhaps folk psychological concepts carry a load of baggage from naturalistically disreputable religious understandings of the soul for which naturalistic philosophers will cheerfully supply no echo.

SEP

"And who's going to sign this guy who's 30, who hasn't played well for four years and he's going to come with a whole load of baggage?" Robert Jones was equally pessimistic about Henson's chances of securing a rugby future if the Blues let him go.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Each chalk moves through stages: goodbye to the family, pick-up of weapons, loading of baggage onto the chalked truck, holding-time in a cafeteria, paperwork, inoculations.

The New York Times

In the end they were less a contemporary family than creatures of their time, propelled into the modern world while still carrying a load of Victorian baggage.

The New York Times - Books

Tom Tykwer's mathematically elegant film "The Princess and the Warrior" hangs a heavy load of metaphysical baggage on the story of a nurse in a mental hospital whose life is miraculously saved by a criminal on the lam.

The New York Times

But his larger intention is to transform the drill hall into a theater for an extended piece of performance art, one that mines the United States space program for an entire prefabricated aesthetic — script, choreography, costumes, sets — and also for a complex load of cultural baggage about what fuels the compulsion to explore outer space.

The New York Times - Arts

Embryonic stem (ES) cells can potentially transform into any cell type in the body, but they carry a heavy load of ethical baggage.

Science Magazine

That is a load of psychological baggage that I am not willing to carry.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "load of baggage", consider the specific type of burden you want to convey (emotional, historical, ethical) to choose the most fitting adjective.

Common error

Avoid using "load of baggage" to describe simple inconveniences. The phrase implies a significant and potentially detrimental burden.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "load of baggage" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It often acts as a direct object or a subject complement, describing something (usually a person, concept, or situation) as having a heavy burden of unresolved issues or negative experiences. As Ludwig AI correctly assesses, it's typically used to convey a negative attribute.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "load of baggage" is a grammatically sound and relatively common noun phrase used to express that something carries a significant burden of negative experiences or unresolved issues. As Ludwig AI confirms, its purpose is to communicate that this burden is substantial and potentially detrimental. While the phrase appears in various contexts, it is most frequently observed in news and media sources and can be considered neutral in formality. When using "load of baggage", consider the specific weight and nature of the burden you wish to convey to ensure appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Emotional baggage

More direct reference to emotional burdens, dropping the "load of" phrasing.

Past issues

Refers to unresolved problems from the past that impact the present.

Personal burdens

Highlights the weight and responsibility associated with challenges.

Unresolved problems

Focuses on the incomplete nature of dealing with difficulties.

Historical baggage

Emphasizes the influence of past events or traditions.

A history of problems

Changes the structure to emphasize the presence of a series of past issues.

Lingering difficulties

Highlights the persistence and lasting impact of challenging situations.

Underlying issues

Suggests problems that are not immediately apparent or openly discussed.

Accumulated woes

Describes troubles that have gathered over time, creating a heavy sense of sadness or difficulty.

Legacy of challenges

Emphasizes that current difficulties stem from past events or systemic issues that continue to affect the present.

FAQs

How can I use "load of baggage" in a sentence?

You can use "load of baggage" to describe someone carrying significant emotional or psychological burdens. For example, "He comes with a whole "load of baggage" because of his past experiences."

What's a less informal alternative to "load of baggage"?

For a more formal context, consider using "emotional baggage" or "past issues", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more serious tone.

Is "load of baggage" always negative?

Yes, "load of baggage" generally carries a negative connotation, implying that someone is burdened by difficult experiences or unresolved problems. It suggests a weight that affects their current state or relationships.

What's the difference between "baggage" and "load of baggage"?

"Baggage" can refer to luggage, but in a figurative sense, it often implies underlying issues. "Load of baggage" intensifies this meaning, suggesting a substantial amount of these issues.