take a burden off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take a burden off" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the act of relieving someone from a difficult situation or responsibility. For example, "He took a burden off her shoulders by doing the extra work himself."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"That will take a burden off Drew.

The New York Times - Sports

We don't have to talk about prognosis, compare patients, or dwell on anything other than how great he feels but the acknowledgement would take a burden off my shoulders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"This takes a burden off my chest," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

Receiving a scholarship from The Times, he said, "took a burden off my mother's back".

The New York Times

Eric Gordon, the Cleveland school district's chief academic officer, says the new approach took a burden off his counselors.

The New York Times

"Taking a burden off people may free up their thinking capacity to make more decisions and consider more options," he says.The Dashboard will offer a wider range of information sources than any of Ambient's previous products, including forecasts for skiers, sailors and fishing enthusiasts.

The Economist

It will save lives and brings peace to them and takes a burden off us.

Huffington Post

Sometimes, just watching someone go through what you're going through takes a burden off your chest".

Huffington Post

"It would take a big burden off downtown Syosset for parking and congestion," Mr. Rockelein said.

The New York Times

The soldier, who serving in Afghanistan, appealed to her to repeal the ban, saying, "It will take a huge burden off my shoulders –- a combat zone is stressful enough on its own.

The New York Times

He later added, "If I knew how to convey how serious, how urgent the situation is without sending people into fear and helplessness, it would take a great burden off of me".

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "take a burden off", be specific about what burden is being relieved and how it benefits the person or entity involved. This adds clarity and impact to your writing.

Common error

Avoid vague statements about what is relieving the burden. Clearly identify who or what is performing the action of "take a burden off" to maintain clarity and avoid confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take a burden off" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of reducing or eliminating a difficulty, responsibility, or source of stress for someone or something. Ludwig confirms that this phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

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 "take a burden off" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes the action of relieving someone of a responsibility or difficulty. Ludwig AI confirms its validity for written English. While it's considered neutral in register and commonly used in news and media, science and wiki contexts, its frequency is relatively uncommon compared to other similar phrases. When using it, ensure clarity by specifying the burden and the source of relief to enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Unburden someone

Directly focuses on removing a burden from someone, similar to the original phrase.

Ease the load

Emphasizes making a task or responsibility lighter or more manageable.

Lighten the load

Similar to "ease the load", but focuses on the reduction of weight or difficulty.

Alleviate the pressure

Focuses on reducing pressure rather than removing a burden, suggesting a lessening of intensity.

Relieve the stress

Specifically targets the reduction of stress, which is a common consequence of bearing a burden.

Reduce the strain

Highlights the lessening of tension or pressure on someone or something.

Take the heat off

An idiomatic expression focusing on reducing scrutiny or pressure from a situation.

Free from responsibility

Highlights the removal of duties or obligations.

Give a respite

Offers a temporary break or relief from a difficult situation.

Make things easier

General phrase suggesting simplification and reducing difficulty.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "take a burden off"?

You can use alternatives such as "alleviate the pressure", "ease the load", or "lighten the load" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "take a load off" instead of "take a burden off"?

Yes, "take a load off" is a similar and often interchangeable idiom, though "take a burden off" may sound more formal in certain contexts.

What does it mean to "take a burden off someone's shoulders"?

It means to relieve someone of a difficult task, responsibility, or source of stress, making their life easier or less stressful.

Can "take a burden off" be used in both formal and informal settings?

While generally suitable, "take a burden off" might be slightly less formal than alternatives in highly professional contexts. Consider your audience and the specific nuance you wish to convey.