# cross to take up

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/cross-to-take-up
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Alternative form of cross to bear.

## Examples

- His constant complaining is a heavy cross to take up.
- She accepted the responsibility of caring for her aging parents as a difficult cross to take up.
- He viewed his lifelong struggle with chronic illness as a silent, solitary cross to take up, rarely speaking of the burden to those around him.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.
