What does "lumber with" mean (sense 1)?

To give someone an unwanted, difficult, or inconvenient responsibility or task, typically without their agreement. Example: "I was lumbered with organizing the whole event just because I mentioned it first."

What does "lumber with" mean (sense 2)?

To find oneself stuck with an unpleasant person, obligation, or situation. Example: "He ended up lumbered with his cousin's dog for the entire summer."

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lumber with

B2 informal inseparable transitive

To give someone an unwanted or difficult responsibility, task, or burden, often without their consent.

In plain English

To make someone deal with something really annoying or difficult that they didn't want or ask for.

What does "lumber with" mean?

2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.

1 B2 idiomatic informal

common

To give someone an unwanted, difficult, or inconvenient responsibility or task, typically without their agreement.

"I was lumbered with organizing the whole event just because I mentioned it first."

inseparable

2 B2 idiomatic informal

common

To find oneself stuck with an unpleasant person, obligation, or situation.

"He ended up lumbered with his cousin's dog for the entire summer."

inseparable

Literal vs figurative

Words literally mean

'Lumber' originally referred to unused heavy objects stored awkwardly; being 'lumbered with' something evokes being weighed down by a cumbersome load.

Actually means

To make someone deal with something really annoying or difficult that they didn't want or ask for.

Usage tip

Predominantly British English. Almost always used in the passive: 'She was lumbered with the job.' The active form exists ('They lumbered him with the task') but is less frequent. Carries a clear negative connotation — the recipient didn't choose the burden.

Words that pair with "lumber with"

Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.

debt responsibility task children bill problem

How to conjugate "lumber with"

The five tense forms you'll use most often.

Base

lumber with

I/you/we/they

3rd person

lumbers with

he/she/it

Past simple

lumbered with

yesterday

Past participle

lumbered with

have + pp

-ing form

lumbering with

continuous

Hear "lumber with" in the wild

Listen to native speakers using "lumber with" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.

Other ways to say "lumber with"

Swap in when you want variety — tap a linked one to explore it.

burden with land someone in it land with load with saddle with stick with

Keep exploring

Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.

All phrasal verbs with "lumber" All phrasal verbs with "with" More B2-level phrasal verbs