or [weigh upon]{v.} 1. To be a weight or pressure on;
be heavy on. •/The pack weighed heavily on the soldier’s back./ 2. To make
sad or worried; trouble; disturb; upset. •/Sadness weighed on Mary’s heart
when her kitten died./ •/John’s wrongdoing weighed upon his conscience./
•/The teacher’s advice weighed upon Tom’s mind./ 3. To be a burden to.
•/His guilt weighed heavily upon him./
[weigh on one’s mind]
See: WEIGH ON(2).
[weigh one’s words]
{v. phr.} To choose your words carefully; be
careful to use the right words. •/When a teacher explains about religion, he
must weigh his words because his pupils may be of several different faiths./
•/When old Mr. Jones talked to the students about becoming teachers, he spoke
slowly, weighing his words./ •/In a debate, a political candidate has
little time to weigh his words, and may say something foolish./
or [world on one’s shoulders]
or [world on one’s back]{n. phr.} A very heavy load of worry or
responsibility; very tired or worried behavior, as if carrying the world;
behavior as if you are very important. •/Don’t look as if you had the weight
of the world on your shoulders, Henry, just because you have to mow the
lawn./ •/John acts as if he were carrying the world on his back because he
has a paper route./
[weigh upon]
See: WEIGH ON.
[welcome]
See: WEAR OUT ONE’S WELCOME.
[welcome mat]
{n.} 1. A mat for wiping your shoes on, often with the
word "welcome" on it, that is placed in front of a door. •/Mother bought a
welcome mat for our new house./ 2. {informal} A warm welcome; a friendly
greeting. — Used in such phrases as "the welcome mat is out" and "put out the
welcome mat". •/Our welcome mat is always out to our friends./ •/Spread
out the welcome mat, children, because Uncle Bill is visiting us tonight./
Syn.: LATCH STRING(2). Compare: ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET, WITH OPEN ARMS.
[welcome with open arms]
See: WITH OPEN ARMS.
[well]
See: ALL VERY WELL, AS WELL, AS WELL AS, HAIL FELLOW WELL MET, LET
WELL ENOUGH ALONE, PLAY ONE’S CARDS RIGHT or PLAY ONE’S CARDS WELL, VERY WELL,
WEAR WELL.
[well and good]
{adj. phr.} Good; satisfactory. •/If my daughter
finishes high school, I will call that well and good./ — Often used without
a verb to show agreement or understanding. •/Well and good; I will come to
your house tomorrow./ Compare: ALL RIGHT, ALL VERY WELL, VERY WELL.
[well-heeled]
{adj.}, {slang} Wealthy; having plenty of money.
•/Bob’s father, who is well-heeled, gave him a sports car./ Compare: IN
CLOVER, ON EASY STREET.
[well-off]
{adj. phr.} 1. Rich. •/They may not be millionaires, but
they are sufficiently well-off./ 2. In good condition; free of problems or
difficulties./ •/He is pleased that his business is well-off./
[well put]
{adj. phr.} Well expressed or defined. •/His remarks about
too much violence on television were extremely well put./