weigh on
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words
To make someone feel worried or sad over a long time, like a heavy weight in their mind.
Literal meaning: For a physical object to press down upon a surface with its weight.
Meanings
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."
Grammar: inseparable
2 C1
idiomatic
formal
To have a negative influence on a situation, result, or performance.
"Rising inflation is beginning to weigh on consumer confidence."
Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes
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.'
Commonly used with
mind conscience heart soul decision guilt
Forms
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
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