pulling my weight

USAGE SUMMARY

"pulling my weight" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you are doing your share, or more than your share, of the work. For example, "I don't mind helping out my team with extra tasks; I'm always willing to pull my weight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Am I not pulling my weight?' " he said.

The New York Times

"He was angry at me for not pulling my weight, income-wise, while I believed the kids needed me at home.

The New Yorker

There was one time when I was unemployed and felt I wasn't pulling my weight, which was hard on me and on us.

The New York Times

My pride meant I did not admit it was because of a physical problem, and as a result I'm sure there were some who felt I was not pulling my weight – but the problem was, I literally couldn't any more.

The Guardian - Opinion

I feel a responsibility because I'm supposed to be one of the key guys and I've been pulling my weight my whole career, and now I'm not doing it".

The New York Times - Sports

"At the beginning of my career," she said, "there was probably a preconceived notion that I wasn't as good an attorney, that I wouldn't be carrying a full caseload, that I wouldn't be pulling my weight, that I'd be getting out of some things.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

From the beginning, I wanted to prove myself and show I could pull my weight.

The New York Times

"I don't feel like I pulled my weight at all".

The New York Times - Sports

"I think I pull my weight somehow or other," she said.

The New York Times

I probably didn't always pull my weight, but I hoped that Emily felt I was a real partner.

The New Yorker

She married Mr. Walker when she was 29 and he was 47. Working in his office, Ms. Schwartz said, "I really didn't have to pull my weight -- I used that time to define my own niche".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pulling my weight" when you want to emphasize your commitment to contributing fairly and effectively within a group or project.

Common error

Don't say you're "pulling my weight" if you're not genuinely contributing. It's best to be honest about your contributions.

Linguistic Context

The idiomatic phrase "pulling my weight" functions as a declaration of intent or current action, indicating one's commitment to contributing adequately to a shared task or responsibility. As Ludwig AI points out, it expresses the idea of doing your share, or more than your share, of the work.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Formal & Business

30%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The idiomatic phrase "pulling my weight" is a common expression used to convey one's commitment to contributing adequately and fairly to a shared task or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates fulfilling one's share of the work, or even exceeding it. While not overly formal, it's appropriate in a wide range of contexts, particularly in news media and business environments. To ensure you're using it correctly, remember that it should reflect genuine contributions. Alternatives include "doing my part", "contributing my share", or "carrying my load", each carrying subtle nuances in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doing my fair share

Emphasizes contributing an equal and just portion of the work.

doing my part

Focuses on fulfilling one's responsibility or duty within a group or situation.

contributing my share

Emphasizes the act of providing a portion or allotment, highlighting individual contribution.

carrying my load

Implies bearing a burden or responsibility, often physical or emotional.

shouldering my responsibility

Highlights accepting and managing one's obligations or duties.

taking up my share of the slack

Focuses on compensating for deficiencies or lack of effort from others.

making a significant contribution

Underscores the positive impact of one's involvement or effort.

being a productive member

Highlights active involvement and positive output within a team or organization.

pitching in effectively

Emphasizes willingness to assist and collaborate for a shared goal.

sharing the workload equitably

Highlights the fairness and balance in distribution of tasks or effort.

FAQs

What does "pulling my weight" mean?

The phrase "pulling my weight" means contributing fairly and doing your share of the work in a team or group effort. It implies fulfilling your responsibilities adequately.

How can I use "pulling my weight" in a sentence?

You might say, "I'm committed to "pulling my weight" on this project to ensure its success."

What are some alternatives to "pulling my weight"?

Some alternatives include "doing my part", "contributing my share", or "carrying my load".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "pulling my weight"?

It's appropriate when you are actively participating and contributing your fair share to a task, project, or group effort and want to express your commitment to doing so.