# excess baggage

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/excess-baggage
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Something or someone not needed or not wanted; something or someone of little use or importance; something or someone considered burdensome.

## Examples

- You should leave that excess baggage at home.
- He realized his old habits were just excess baggage that prevented him from moving forward in his career.
- The company decided to sell its unprofitable divisions, viewing them as nothing more than excess baggage that hindered overall growth.

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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.