Make heavy weather of something
verb
To make a situation more difficult or complicated than it needs to be.
He could have finished the project much earlier but he made heavy weather of it and took twice as long as he should have.
Often appears as...
- making heavy weather of the project
- made heavy weather of the problem
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To appear to be struggling, especially in situations where others are not.
The other students finished the test easily but Jessica made heavy weather of it.
Often appears as...
- making heavy weather of an easy task
- made heavy weather of the exam
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To make a situation more difficult or complicated than it needs to be.
He could have finished the project much earlier but he made heavy weather of it and took twice as long as he should have.
Often appears as...
- making heavy weather of the project
- made heavy weather of the problem
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To appear to be struggling, especially in situations where others are not.
The other students finished the test easily but Jessica made heavy weather of it.
Often appears as...
- making heavy weather of an easy task
- made heavy weather of the exam
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Exaggerated Difficulty
Use when someone is making a task seem harder than it is, either by overthinking or unnecessary steps.
Even preparing tea, she makes heavy weather of it with an elaborate ceremony.
Pro Tip 2/3Frustration Implication
Implies the person's approach is causing frustration to themselves or others.
In all our meetings, he makes heavy weather of the agenda, dragging each point out.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Underestimating
Be careful not to dismiss real difficulties faced by others as making heavy weather.
I thought he was making heavy weather of the report, but it turns out it was quite complex.
Pro Tip 1/3Exaggerated Difficulty
Use when someone is making a task seem harder than it is, either by overthinking or unnecessary steps.
Even preparing tea, she makes heavy weather of it with an elaborate ceremony.
Pro Tip 2/3Frustration Implication
Implies the person's approach is causing frustration to themselves or others.
In all our meetings, he makes heavy weather of the agenda, dragging each point out.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Underestimating
Be careful not to dismiss real difficulties faced by others as making heavy weather.
I thought he was making heavy weather of the report, but it turns out it was quite complex.
Pro Tip 1/3Exaggerated Difficulty
Use when someone is making a task seem harder than it is, either by overthinking or unnecessary steps.
Even preparing tea, she makes heavy weather of it with an elaborate ceremony.
Pro Tip 2/3Frustration Implication
Implies the person's approach is causing frustration to themselves or others.
In all our meetings, he makes heavy weather of the agenda, dragging each point out.
Pro Tip 3/3Avoid Underestimating
Be careful not to dismiss real difficulties faced by others as making heavy weather.
I thought he was making heavy weather of the report, but it turns out it was quite complex.
Never forget "Make heavy weather of something"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension