ENGLISH
REFERENCE

broad shoulders

idiom
Meaning

the ability to take criticism, or accept responsibility.


Examples
SIMPLE

She has broad shoulders and never takes complaints personally.

CONTEXTUAL

As a manager, you need broad shoulders because people will blame you when things go wrong.

COMPLEX

The mayor, whose broad shoulders had carried the weight of the scandal without complaint, finally addressed the crowd to accept full responsibility.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    broad and shallow

    Associated with the Broad Church; latitudinarian.

  2. 02

    broad brush

    A style or approach that deals with something in very general, sweeping terms, without attention to fine details or subtle nuances.

  3. 03

    broad in the beam

    Wide across the hips, with large buttocks.

  4. 04

    broad strokes

    Major features or key points; outline.

  5. 05

    dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants

    One who discovers by building on previous discoveries.

  6. 06

    good head on one's shoulders

    intelligent or shrewd; have good sense or judgement

  7. 07

    head and shoulders

    To a considerable degree.

  8. 08

    not be able to hit the broad side of a barn

    To have very poor aim, such as while using firearms or in sports.

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