What does “Millstone round your neck” mean?
"Millstone round your neck" means a heavy burden or responsibility that is difficult to get rid of.
What context can I use the in?
Example
His gambling addiction became a millstone round his neck.
Example
The failed business venture became a millstone round their necks.
Example
The scandal was a millstone round her neck throughout her career
Is “Millstone round your neck” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“Millstone round your neck” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “Millstone round your neck” effectively in context?
You can use "Millstone round your neck" to describe a situation where someone is burdened with a heavy responsibility or problem that is weighing them down. It emphasizes the difficulty of getting rid of this burden. For example, if someone is struggling with a gambling addiction, you might say, 'His gambling addiction became a millstone round his neck.'
- 1Addiction
His gambling addiction became a millstone round his neck.
- 2Business Failure
The failed business venture became a millstone round their necks.
- 3Scandal
The scandal was a millstone round her neck throughout her career.
Similar phrases to “Millstone round your neck”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “Millstone round your neck” come from?
The origin of the phrase "Millstone round your neck" can be traced back to biblical times. In the Bible, it is mentioned in Matthew 18:6, where Jesus says, 'But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.' The phrase refers to a heavy millstone, a large stone used to grind grain, being tied around someone's neck and them being thrown into the sea as punishment. Over time, the phrase has evolved to represent any heavy burden or responsibility that is difficult to get rid of.
Is “Millstone round your neck” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "Millstone round your neck" is not as common as some other idioms, but it is still used in everyday conversation. It is often used in more formal or literary contexts to convey a sense of heaviness and burden.
What tone does “Millstone round your neck” have?
"Millstone round your neck" conveys a tone of burden and difficulty. It is used to describe a situation that is challenging and hard to escape from.
Can “Millstone round your neck” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "Millstone round your neck" is more formal in nature and is commonly used in written or spoken English. It can be used in both informal and formal settings, but it is more commonly used in formal situations such as speeches, essays, or literature.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'The failed business venture became a millstone round their necks.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That mistake is a millstone round my neck.' to imply a heavy burden.
