take the load off

USAGE SUMMARY

"take the load off" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to relieve someone of a burden or responsibility, or to make a situation less stressful or difficult. Example: "The students were feeling overwhelmed with their heavy workload, but the teacher reminded them to take the load off by prioritizing their tasks and seeking help when needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

Mark has to pitch his innings in order to take the load off other guys".

The New York Times - Sports

But maybe we can take the load off that guy by winning tomorrow's game".

The New York Times - Sports

Point guard Elijah Ingram, the McDonald's all-American whom Jarvis recruited to take the load off Hatten, did not start and scored only 2 points.

The New York Times - Sports

Advocates argue that restricting car usage in cities is not only important in the broader fight to curb carbon emissions and greenhouses gases, but as an important mechanism to take the load off overstretched public transport systems.

The Guardian

Yet it's satisfying to hear about Jimmy Page's dependence on his portable crimping iron, and Mick Jagger's attempt to use the Altamont fan's death to get Pamela into a threesome ("to take the load off his mind").

The Guardian

But then Cooper's wife, Lady Diana, was evidently an understanding woman, who often took his lovers under her wing (she was, says John Julius, not a terribly sexual woman, "and was grateful for someone to take the load off").

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

"It takes the load off the calf muscles, so it reduces the amount of energy they expend in contractions," Collins said.

The Guardian

Their sudden grasp of the notoriously complex scheme Bill Belichick likes to employ couldn't have come at a better time following Danny Amendola's injury and took the load off a struggling rushing game.

Independent

BlackBerry used to get paid handsomely by carriers for taking the load off their networks to transport BBM and email data, which it would transfer via its own Network Operations Centres (NOCs).

The Guardian - Tech

This approach takes the load off the mobile device, allowing the sound to be outputted at a comfortable 30%40%40%.

TechCrunch

Any computers on the network can then mount the share, and everyone can use it for storage, taking the load off all the laptops the pesky kids have.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "take the load off" when you want to emphasize the act of relieving someone or something from a burden, whether it's physical, mental, or emotional. For example, you might say, "Delegating tasks can help take the load off your team."

Common error

Don't assume that simply assigning a task is enough to "take the load off". Ensure the person or system you're delegating to has the resources and support needed to handle the task effectively. Otherwise, you might just be shifting the burden, not relieving it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take the load off" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe the action of reducing someone's burden or responsibility. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, from sports to technology.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Wiki

16%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "take the load off" is a versatile and commonly used expression that signifies reducing someone's burden or easing a difficult situation. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, but also present in Wiki and Formal & Business contexts, it demonstrates broad applicability. The phrase functions as a verb phrase and serves to provide reassurance by highlighting actions that alleviate pressure or difficulty. Consider alternatives like "lighten the burden" or "relieve the pressure" for nuanced communication. Remember to ensure that when you aim to "take the load off" you are effectively reducing burden.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lighten the burden

Focuses more on reducing the weight or difficulty of something.

relieve the pressure

Emphasizes reducing stress or strain.

ease the strain

Highlights the reduction of tension or effort.

alleviate the burden

A more formal way of saying to make a burden more bearable.

reduce the workload

Specifically refers to decreasing the amount of work required.

diminish the stress

Emphasizes decreasing mental or emotional pressure.

lessen the weight

Suggests making something feel lighter or easier to manage.

mitigate the difficulty

Highlights reducing the level of challenge or hardship.

share the responsibility

Implies distributing duties among multiple people.

shoulder some of the responsibility

Highlights the act of accepting part of the responsibility.

FAQs

How can I use "take the load off" in a sentence?

You can use "take the load off" to describe relieving someone of a burden or responsibility. For example: "Hiring an assistant will "lighten the burden" and take some of the load off."

What's a less common synonym for "take the load off"?

A less common synonym for "take the load off" is "mitigate the difficulty", which implies reducing the level of challenge or hardship involved in a task or situation.

Is it better to say "take the load off" or "relieve the pressure"?

Both "take the load off" and "relieve the pressure" are correct, but they emphasize different aspects. "Take the load off" focuses on reducing burden, while "relieve the pressure" emphasizes reducing stress or strain.

How does "take the load off" differ from "share the responsibility"?

"Take the load off" implies reducing someone's burden, while "share the responsibility" suggests distributing duties among multiple individuals. The former focuses on lessening the weight, whereas the latter focuses on dividing it.