heavy lifting

noun

: a burdensome or laborious duty

Examples of heavy lifting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The smartest hosts plan ahead, buy wisely and let structure do the heavy lifting. Allison Palmer, Miami Herald, 11 Nov. 2025 Underestimating what’s required, particularly around the heavy lifting to acquire and prepare data, can cause even the most promising project to flop. Kathleen Walch, Fortune, 11 Nov. 2025 As stated, Darnold benefited from not having to do the heavy lifting because the defense did it for him. James Brizuela, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 2025 Although the offense has been efficient all season, Sam Darnold and the passing game have done the heavy lifting. Michael-Shawn Dugar, New York Times, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for heavy lifting

Word History

First Known Use

1980, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heavy lifting was in 1980

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Heavy lifting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heavy%20lifting. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

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