Definition
The distressing combined burden of the problems, doubts, imperfections, and responsibilities associated with human existence.
Origins
An allusion to the burden borne by Atlas, the mythical Titan who carried the entire world on his shoulders.
In Context
- "The weight of the world is off my mind since I have told you every thing."
- "There was only one thing to be done, return to the hotel, retrieve his money, and try to forget the weight of the world and its cares in lunch."
- "With its trade deficits with Asia ballooning and U.S. consumers carrying the weight of the world on their credit cards, Washington felt it was about time somebody else did some importing."
- ""When I arrived at Texas in 2001, I felt an enormous amount of pressure. . . . I felt like I had all the weight of the world on top of me.""
- "I tried carrying the weight of the world / But I only have two hands"
See Also
- weltschmerz
- world-weariness