English Reference
Idiom idiom

make heavy weather


To make progress only with difficulty.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He makes heavy weather of simple tasks.

CONTEXTUAL

She makes heavy weather of writing emails, even though she is a very talented writer.

COMPLEX

The new manager makes heavy weather of every minor decision, which causes unnecessary delays for the entire department.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    cannot make it

    Cannot reach satisfactory or expected standards or do something competently; describes someone in a hopeless situation.

  3. 03

    doctors make the worst patients

    It is difficult to advise people on subjects that they are experts on.

  4. 04

    enough to make a cat laugh

    Very outlandish or outrageous.

  5. 05

    enough to make the angels weep

    Something so distressing that it causes one to lose hope and faith.

  6. 06

    fine feathers make fine birds

    Something that appears beautiful or good is by definition beautiful or good.

  7. 07

    hang heavy

    To seem to pass slowly; to crawl.

  8. 08

    have it made

    To have accomplished all there is to do; to have no further work or difficulty.

Last updated August 10, 2026