PhrasesHub

as heavy as lead

    Definitions

      • very heavy
        To describe something that weighs a lot, often used to emphasize how difficult it is to lift or carry

      • very burdensome
        To describe a situation or responsibility that feels overwhelming or oppressive, making it hard to handle or manage

    Examples of as heavy as lead

    • The news of his failing health was as heavy as lead, weighing heavily on the hearts of his family and friends.

      This idiom is used to describe something that is very serious and burdensome, much like the weight of lead that is difficult to lift or carry. In this context, the news of someone's failing health is compared to the weight of lead, emphasizing the gravity and heaviness of the situation.

    • With the weight of the world on his shoulders, he trudged down the street, his steps as heavy as lead.

      Here, the weight of the world is compared to lead, showing that this person is carrying an immense burden, represented by the weight of lead.

    • My heart felt as heavy as lead when I received the phone call informing me of her passing.

      The speaker's heart felt like it was carrying the weight of lead, indicating the intensity of grief and sorrow that the speaker felt upon hearing the news of someone's death.

    • The leaden sky weighed heavily upon us, our movements slowed as the gloomy atmosphere affected our moods.

      In this example, the weightlessness of the sky is compared to the weight of lead, representing the heavy and sluggish atmosphere that affected people's movement and mood. This idiom is often used in literature to create a somber and melancholic mood.To sum up, the above examples illustrate the versatility and vividness of this idiom, demonstrating its use in different aspects of speech and writing, from describing emotions and experiences to creating moods and atmospheres.

    • Her heart felt as heavy as lead after hearing the tragic news.

      In this context, the idiom "as heavy as lead" is used to describe the weight of the sadness and grief that she is feeling. Just as lead is a dense and heavy metal, her emotions are just as overwhelming and burdensome.

    • The lump in his throat grew as heavy as lead as he struggled to swallow the pills.

      In this example, the idiom "as heavy as lead" is used to illustrate the difficulty and effort required to perform a physical action. Just as lead is a heavy and cumbersome material, swallowing the pills feels incredibly challenging and laborious.

    • The weight of his responsibility sat as heavy as lead on his shoulders as he prepared for a crucial presentation.

      The use of "as heavy as lead" in this case conveys the psychological and emotional burden of the task at hand. Just as lead is a heavy and oppressive substance, the pressure and strain of the situation is nearly suffocating.

    • The silence in the room hung as heavy as lead, stifling any potential conversation.

      The idiom "as heavy as lead" is utilized here to describe the atmosphere of a room as dense and oppressive as lead. The quietness seems to exert an inescapable weight, making it feel almost suffocating and difficult to breach.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "as heavy as lead" is commonly used to describe both physical weight and emotional weight. When something is described as heavy as lead, it emphasizes the extreme heaviness and difficulty associated with it. This idiom is a vivid way to convey the feeling of a significant burden or challenge that weighs someone down physically or emotionally. It can be used to express the struggle of dealing with a particularly heavy object or the overwhelming nature of a difficult situation.

    The idiom is effective in painting a clear picture of the intensity of the weight being referred to, making it a powerful and relatable expression for conveying the feeling of heaviness in various contexts.

    Origin of "as heavy as lead"

    The origin of the idiom "as heavy as lead" dates back to the use of lead as a material known for its density and weight. Lead is one of the heaviest metals and has been used for centuries in various applications due to its weight and durability. The phrase likely originated from the observation of how heavy and dense lead is compared to other materials.

    Over time, the idiom "as heavy as lead" became a common expression to describe something that is exceptionally heavy or burdensome. The association of lead with heaviness and weight made it a fitting comparison for situations or objects that are difficult to lift or carry. The idiom has stood the test of time and continues to be used today to convey the idea of extreme weight or burden.