shoulder

Definition

  • noun: the part of your body where your arm is connected
  • noun: the laterally projecting part of the human body formed of the bones and joints with their covering tissue by which the arm is connected with the trunk
  • verb: to deal with or accept (something) as your responsibility or duty
  • verb: to push or thrust with or as if with the shoulder
  • often used figuratively
  • synonyms: support, jostle, crowd

Examples

  • The responsibility for the failure falls squarely 'on her shoulders'. [=she is completely responsible for the failure]

  • You can never feel confident in this business. You always have to be 'looking over your shoulder'.

  • He 'has had a chip on his shoulder' ever since he didn't get the promotion he was expecting.

Movie quotes

  • (..) at Shawshank State Prison. Drink up while it's cold, ladies. The colossal prick even managed to sound magnanimous. We sat and drank with the sun on our shoulders and felt like free men. We could have been tarring the roof of one of our own houses. We were the lords of all creation. As for Andy... (..)
    1994 The Shawshank Redemption