pull one's weight

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pull one's weight" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It means to take one's share of responsibility and contribute to a task or effort. You can use this phrase in any formal or informal writing. For example: "Everyone on the team worked hard to make sure the project was completed on time, and each person pulled their own weight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Naturally, workers are pitted against one another by the competitive framework and the need to struggle ever faster in order to "pull one's weight".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Pull one hundred miles?

The New York Times - Sports

Being incapacitated, he almost pulled one of the women under the water with his weight.

Vice

Once again, we pulled one out".

The New York Times - Sports

Pencenzo makes maintaining one's weight impossible.

The New York Times

Somebody should have a stern talking to them on the subject of stage presence and maybe be it won't be the bassist as the only one pulling the weight on stage.

Vice

Usually run by former military people or personal trainers, the back-to-basics camps involve high-intensity moves like sprinting, jumping jacks and calisthenics that rely on one's own body weight to perform push-ups and pull-ups.

The New York Times

One of the climate protesters who plans to be outside Trudeau's door Thursday says the world is looking to Canada's next leader to pull his weight on climate change, but he's already behind on his targets.

Vice

Adams is therefore "100%" confident in Tremlett's ability to pull his weight as one of a three-man seam attack, and sees only positives in his physical similarity to Finn.

The Guardian - Sport

"They have promised their citizens something for nothing," Mr. Daugaard said of other states during his inauguration in Pierre this month, "and created a society where everyone wants to be carried and no one wants to pull their own weight".

The New York Times

How to maintain one's ideal weight.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "pull one's weight", ensure it's clear to whom or what the individual is contributing. Provide context to avoid ambiguity. For example: 'Every member of the team needs to pull their weight to meet the deadline.'

Common error

Avoid using "pull one's weight" when the individual's responsibilities are not clearly defined or are disproportionate to the group. This can lead to feelings of resentment and unfairness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pull one's weight" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to describe the act of adequately contributing to a shared task or responsibility. As Ludwig AI indicates, the expression is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Huffington Post

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiom "pull one's weight" is a common and correct English expression used to describe the act of adequately contributing to a shared task or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in various writing contexts. It carries a neutral register, making it suitable for both professional and informal communications, as seen in the examples taken from news sources and general web content. While interchangeable with similar phrases like ""contribute one's fair share"" and ""do one's part"", understanding the nuances of each alternative ensures precise communication. Remember to provide clear context to whom or what the contribution is directed and avoid using the phrase in situations with undefined responsibilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contribute one's fair share

Focuses on fairness and equity in contribution.

do one's part

Emphasizes the individual's role in a collective effort.

carry one's load

Uses a metaphor of burden-sharing in a task.

shoulder one's responsibility

Highlights the acceptance and handling of obligations.

step up to the plate

Suggests taking decisive action and fulfilling expectations.

bear one's share of the burden

Focuses on the aspect of difficulty or challenge in contributing.

meet one's obligations

Stresses the fulfillment of formal requirements or duties.

take responsibility

Focuses on accepting accountability for a task or duty.

be a team player

Highlights the cooperative aspect of contributing to a group.

make a contribution

Emphasizes the act of giving or adding value to a task.

FAQs

How can I use "pull one's weight" in a sentence?

You can use "pull one's weight" to indicate that someone is contributing their fair share to a task or project. For instance, 'If we want to finish on time, everyone needs to "pull their weight"'.

What are some alternatives to "pull one's weight"?

Alternatives include "contribute one's fair share", "do one's part", or "carry one's load". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "pull your weight" or should it always be "pull one's weight"?

"Pull your weight" is correct when addressing someone directly. "Pull one's weight" is used in more general statements about responsibility. Both are grammatically sound.

What does it mean when someone says another person isn't "pulling their weight"?

It means the person is not contributing enough to a shared task or responsibility, and others are having to compensate for their lack of effort.