weight of the world

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "weight of the world" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a feeling of overwhelming responsibility or burden that someone feels, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "After taking on so many projects at work, I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The weight of the world hit him.

The New Yorker

The weight of the world shifted.

The New York Times - Books

Or perhaps the weight of the world.

The New York Times

Ahh, the weight of the world on my shoulders".

The Guardian

Call it taking the weight of the world.

The New York Times

"But you take on the weight of the world.

Independent

He had the weight of the world on his shoulders four weeks into his new job.

Stanford University

"I could feel the weight of the world on his shoulders".

The New York Times - Sports

Even a good-time guy like Jimmy Buffett can feel the weight of the world.

The New York Times

I felt like the weight of the world had been lifted.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes I feel the weight of the world on my shoulders," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "weight of the world" to express the feeling of carrying immense burdens or responsibilities, either literally or metaphorically.

Common error

Refrain from using the phrase "weight of the world" in trivial situations. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "weight of the world" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject complement or object in a sentence. It describes a state of being overwhelmed by responsibilities or problems. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is usable in written English to express a feeling of overwhelming responsibility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

1%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "weight of the world" is a commonly used expression to describe the feeling of being overwhelmed by immense burdens or responsibilities. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely accepted. It is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, used to convey a sense of significant stress or obligation. When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context warrants such a strong expression, avoiding overuse in trivial situations. Alternatives like "heavy burden" or "overwhelming responsibility" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heavy burden

A simpler and more direct way to express the concept of carrying a significant load.

overwhelming responsibility

Emphasizes the magnitude and impact of duties to be performed.

burden of responsibility

Focuses more on the responsibility aspect rather than the overwhelming feeling of the world's problems.

great responsibility

Highlights the importance and impact of the duties that one is responsible for.

pressure of expectations

Highlights the stress caused by what others anticipate or demand.

immense strain

Focuses on the tension and pressure experienced as a result of challenging circumstances.

crushing load

Implies a heavy and debilitating burden, often physical or emotional.

onerous task

Focuses on the difficulty and demanding nature of a particular job or duty.

difficult obligation

Emphasizes the challenging nature of a duty that must be fulfilled.

mountain of problems

Focuses on the multitude of issues, rather than on the feeling of bearing the weight of them.

FAQs

How can I use "weight of the world" in a sentence?

You can use "weight of the world" to describe a feeling of overwhelming burden or responsibility. For example, "After the project failed, he felt like he had the "weight of the world" on his shoulders".

What is the meaning of "weight of the world"?

The phrase "weight of the world" refers to the feeling of carrying immense burdens, responsibilities, or problems. It often implies a sense of being overwhelmed by the challenges of life or a specific situation.

What can I say instead of "weight of the world"?

You can use alternatives like "heavy burden", "crushing load", or "overwhelming responsibility" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "the weight of the world is on my shoulders"?

Yes, "the weight of the world is on my shoulders" is a correct and commonly used expression to convey the feeling of carrying immense burdens or responsibilities.