dragn
Joined: 17 Feb 2009
Posts: 450
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 Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 4:59 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| "It's a lot off the shoulders," Burnett said. |
Hi,
Welcome to the Help Center!
In English, when someone has a lot to worry about or is struggling with many troublesome issues and is feeling a lot of anxiety, we compare this to a heavy load that must be carried. Obviously, if you are carrying an actual load of something, you may well be carrying it on your back, slung over your shoulders—the way a backpacker would carry a backpack. So, if someone has a lot on his shoulders, we basically mean he has a lot to worry about. Well, if there is a positive outcome and all that anxiety is relieved, then that load is lifted. It's a lot off the shoulders.
I am familiar with the context of the quote. A.J. Burnett is talking about his first start as a pitcher with the New York Yankees. In the Yankees' first two games of the season, two of the the Yankees' star pitchers (C.C. Sabathia and Wang Chieh-Ming) had suffered crushing defeats. Burnett had just pitched for the Yankees in their third game, and had done an excellent job and the Yankees got their first win. When he said "It's a lot off the shoulders," he probably meant that it was a relief to have his first game turn out well, and to be able to help his team get a much-needed win.
We also often say "It's a load off my shoulders."
Hope this helps answer your question.
Greg |
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