1 B2 idiomatic neutral
To cause someone to feel continuously worried, sad, or troubled.
"The unresolved argument with his brother had been weighing on him for weeks."
inseparable
weigh on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To cause persistent worry, anxiety, or sadness to someone.
In plain English
To make someone feel worried or sad over a long time, like a heavy weight in their mind.
What does "weigh on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 C1 idiomatic formal
To have a negative influence on a situation, result, or performance.
"Rising inflation is beginning to weigh on consumer confidence."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
For a physical object to press down upon a surface with its weight.
Actually means
To make someone feel worried or sad over a long time, like a heavy weight in their mind.
Usage tip
Almost exclusively used figuratively. The subject is always the thing causing worry, and the object is the person affected: 'something weighs on someone.' Common collocation: 'weigh on one's mind/conscience.'
Words that pair with "weigh on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
mind conscience heart soul decision guilt
How to conjugate "weigh on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
weigh on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
weighs on
he/she/it
Past simple
weighed on
yesterday
Past participle
weighed on
have + pp
-ing form
weighing on
continuous
Hear "weigh on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "weigh on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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