pull their weight

USAGE SUMMARY

"pull their weight" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
Its meaning is to do one's fair share of the work. Example sentence: "The team members worked hard to pull their weight and complete the project on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Who did not pull their weight?

The Economist

Other starters didn't pull their weight.

The New York Times

Colleagues may fail to pull their weight.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Institutions should also pull their weight, said Colvin.

Columbia University

Four or five of them certainly didn't pull their weight.

The Guardian - Sport

But they are required to pull their weight.

The New Yorker

Much hangs on whether exporters can pull their weight again.

The Economist

Then they might decide to go out and pull their weight, too.

The New York Times

Still, she said, "We would rather that the county and state would pull their weight".

The New York Times

But species will have to pull their weight and provide interest throughout the year.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

If people don't pull their weight or share the community's values, they must move on.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pull their weight" when you want to emphasize that everyone in a group or team needs to contribute equally to achieve a common goal.

Common error

Avoid using "pull their weight" when referring to tasks or responsibilities that are explicitly divided unequally among team members. The phrase implies an expectation of equal contribution.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic expression "pull their weight" functions as a verb phrase indicating the act of contributing adequately to a shared task or responsibility. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It's used to express the importance of equal contribution within a group.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic expression "pull their weight" signifies contributing one's fair share to a collective effort, a notion validated by Ludwig AI. As a very common phrase, it finds frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, alongside formal business environments. Expert analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and consistent usage, further solidifying its appropriateness. Alternatives such as "contribute their share" or "do their part" offer nuanced variations in meaning. Remember that using "pull their weight" effectively requires considering the scope of responsibility and ensuring equitable contribution among team members.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

carry their load

Uses a metaphor of bearing a burden to represent contribution.

do their part

Emphasizes performing one's role, without necessarily implying effort.

earn their keep

Focuses on deserving what one receives, especially in terms of resources or support.

contribute one's share

Focuses on contributing a portion, but does not explicitly refer to effort or responsibility.

uphold their end of the bargain

Focuses on fulfilling commitments and agreements, highlighting reciprocity.

be a team player

Highlights cooperation and contribution in a group setting.

carry the weight

Shift the focus on who or what is supporting the load

shoulder their responsibilities

Highlights bearing burdens and obligations.

chip in

An informal way to describe contributing, often financially or with effort.

meet expectations

Focuses on fulfilling requirements rather than sharing effort.

FAQs

How can I use "pull their weight" in a sentence?

You can use "pull their weight" to describe situations where individuals or groups need to contribute equally to achieve a common goal. For example, "If the project is to succeed, everyone needs to "pull their weight"".

What are some alternatives to "pull their weight"?

Alternatives include "contribute their share", "do their part", or "carry their load". These phrases convey a similar idea of contributing adequately to a task or goal.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pull its weight" instead of "pull their weight"?

While "pull its weight" is grammatically correct when referring to a singular, non-gendered entity, "pull their weight" is appropriate when referring to a group or team of individuals. The use of "their" emphasizes that each member needs to contribute.

What's the difference between "pull their weight" and "go the extra mile"?

"Pull their weight" means contributing adequately and fulfilling one's responsibilities, while "go the extra mile" means exceeding expectations and putting in additional effort beyond what is required. They describe different levels of contribution.