1 B1 neutral
To make someone carry a very heavy physical load.
"She came back from the market loaded down with bags of vegetables."
separable
load down
B2 neutral separable transitive
To burden someone or something with a heavy load of physical weight or responsibilities.
In plain English
To give someone or something so much to carry (or do) that it feels very heavy.
What does "load down" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic neutral
To burden someone with too many responsibilities, tasks, or problems.
"The new manager loaded the team down with so many reports that morale collapsed."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To press down with a heavy load — 'down' implies the downward force of weight.
Actually means
To give someone or something so much to carry (or do) that it feels very heavy.
Usage tip
Often used in passive constructions: 'loaded down with shopping bags'. Can be used figuratively for responsibilities, work, or worries. More common in American English.
Words that pair with "load down"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
bags debt work responsibilities luggage groceries
How to conjugate "load down"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
load down
I/you/we/they
3rd person
loads down
he/she/it
Past simple
loaded down
yesterday
Past participle
loaded down
have + pp
-ing form
loading down
continuous
Hear "load down" in the wild
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