weight lifted off her shoulders

Definitions

• relief
  To express the feeling of relief after a burden or responsibility has been removed

Examples of weight lifted off her shoulders

• Jane had been carrying a huge burden of guilt ever since the accident. But when the truth finally came out and her innocence was proven, a weight lifted off her shoulders.

  This idiom refers to the feeling of relief and freedom that comes when a heavy burden or responsibility is finally lifted. It's as if a weight, symbolic of the burden, has been physically lifted off your shoulders. In Jane's case, she had been carrying the weight of guilt for so long, but when the truth was finally revealed, that weight was lifted and she could breathe a little easier.

• The CEO's announcement that they would be moving the company to a new location had been met with a lot of resistance from the employees. But after several months of hard work and planning, the move went smoothly and the weight of worry was lifted off their shoulders.

  This example shows how the idiom can apply not just to individuals, but to groups as well. Just as Jane's burden had been weighing heavily on her, the employees' worry about the move had been overwhelming. But after everything was put into place and the move went smoothly, they could let go of that worry and feel the weight lifted off their shoulders.

• Tom had been struggling with a particularly difficult project for weeks, working long hours and feeling the weight of failure bearing down on him. But when he finally presented his finished work to the client, they were impressed and declared the project a success. Suddenly, the weight lifted off Tom's shoulders and he felt a newfound sense of accomplishment.

  This example shows how the idiom can apply to specific challenges or tasks. Tom had been carrying the weight of uncertainty and possible failure for a long time, but once his work was successful, the burden was lifted and he felt a newfound sense of pride and accomplishment.

• After months of therapies and recovery, Mary's battle with addiction was finally over. The weight lifted off her shoulders as she looked to the future, free from the chains that had held her back for so long.

  This example shows how the idiom can apply to personal struggles and challenges, especially those related to health or wellbeing. Mary had been carrying the weight of addiction for a long time, but with the help of therapy and recovery, she was finally able to let go of that burden and look forward to a brighter future.

• After years of struggling with debt, Sarah finally made a budget and paid off all her outstanding balances. The weight lifted off her shoulders was a relief she hadn't experienced in years.

  This idiom is used figuratively to describe a situation where someone feels a sense of relief or freedom from a burden. The image is that of heavy weights being physically lifted from a person's shoulders, allowing them to breathe a little easier. In Sarah's case, the debt she carried for so long was a constant source of stress, but now that it's gone, she feels lighter and more optimistic about her future.

• When Ben confessed his mistake and took responsibility for his actions, his boss's scowl lifted off his face and was replaced with a smile.

  Again, this is a figurative use of the idiom, where a person's expression or demeanor changes in response to a situation. Just as a weight can be lifted off someone's shoulders, a cloud or frown can be lifted off their face when they're pleased or relieved. Ben's confession and taking ownership of his actions showed his boss that he was mature and trustworthy, which in turn led to a positive reaction.

• Emily had been dreading her presentation all week, but when she finished and received a round of applause, a weight lifted off her shoulders and her confidence soared.

  This example is similar to the first, but instead of being relieved of a physical burden, Emily is relieved of the mental and emotional weight of anticipation and fear. Her presentation went well, which boosted her self-esteem and made her feel proud of herself. It's like the weight of doubt and anxiety was lifted off her shoulders, leaving her feeling empowered and assured.

• After months of being stuck in a creative rut, John's innovative idea finally broke through the surface, lifting the heavy weight of writer's block off his mind.

  Writer's block can be a frustrating and debilitating condition for creatives, but finding a way to move forward can be incredibly liberating. The weight of writer's block can feel oppressive and suffocating, but when inspiration strikes, it's like a weight has been lifted off the writer's mind, allowing them to breathe more easily and produce more work. John's breakthrough idea was a relief he hadn't experienced in a long time.

Conclusion

The idiom "weight lifted off her shoulders" is commonly used to describe the feeling of relief or liberation after a burden has been removed. It can be used in various situations, such as when a person has successfully completed a difficult task or when a stressful situation has been resolved. The idiom conveys a sense of lightness and freedom from a previously heavy or oppressive feeling.

It is often used in a figurative sense to convey the emotional or mental release that comes with the removal of a burden. It can also be used to express the physical sensation of relief, as if a literal weight has been lifted from the shoulders.

Overall, the idiom "weight lifted off her shoulders" is a powerful and evocative way to convey the feeling of relief and liberation from a burden or responsibility.

Origin of "weight lifted off her shoulders"

The origin of the idiom "weight lifted off her shoulders" is not entirely clear, but it likely stems from the physical sensation of relief that comes with the removal of a heavy burden. The image of a weight being lifted off the shoulders is a powerful and universally understood metaphor for the feeling of relief and liberation.

The idiom may have originated from the physical act of lifting a heavy object off someone's shoulders, symbolizing the removal of a burden. Over time, it evolved into a metaphorical expression to convey the emotional or mental relief that comes with the resolution of a difficult situation or the completion of a challenging task. The idiom is now widely used in English to describe the feeling of relief and liberation after a burden has been removed.