What does the phrasal verb “saddle with” mean?

What are the definitions of “saddle with”?

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

• 1. Give someone a task or responsibility that is difficult or hard work.

  They SADDLED me WITH preparing the visit.

What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “saddle with”?

The most common meaning of the phrasal verb saddle with is to give someone a task or responsibility that is difficult or hard work. It often implies that the person receiving the task is not happy about it.

What are the different verb forms of “saddle with”?

Root Verb	saddle with
Third Person Singular Present	saddles with
Present Participle	saddling with
Simple Past	saddled with
Past Participle	saddled with

Example

My boss saddled me with extra work before the weekend.

Example

She saddles him with all the difficult tasks.

Example

He is saddling her with more responsibilities than she can handle.

Example

They saddled us with a challenging project last month.

Example

I have been saddled with this problem for a long time.

What kind of phrasal verb is “saddle with”?

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a transitive and intransitive verb?
- A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.)
- An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)

Transitive verb

“saddle with” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.

Example

The teacher saddled him with extra homework.

Example

She saddled her coworker with the difficult client.

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Notes from a Native English Speaker

What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb?
- A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle.
- An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.

Inseparable

“saddle with” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.

Example

The teacher saddled him with extra homework.

Example

She saddled her coworker with the difficult client.

What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “saddle with”?

Saddle someone with debt

To cause someone to have a large amount of debt.

Example

Their poor financial decisions saddled them with a lot of debt.

Saddle someone with responsibility

To give someone a significant amount of responsibility.

Example

As the oldest sibling, she was saddled with the responsibility of taking care of her younger siblings.

Saddle someone with a burden

To give someone a difficult or heavy burden to bear.

Example

He was saddled with the burden of his family's expectations.

Good things to know

Does “saddle with” have an informal or formal tone?

Saddle with is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal contexts. It is appropriate for everyday conversations, as well as more formal settings, such as in a work environment or in writing.

What are synonyms of antonyms to the phrasal verb “saddle with”?

Synonyms

• burden
• encumber
• hamper
• oblige
• load
• weigh down
• impose on

Antonyms

• relieve
• unburden
• free
• liberate
• release
• exempt
• absolve