shoulders
- 01 A1 Beginner
n.the two parts of your body between your neck and the top of your arms.
n.the anatomical regions where the upper limbs attach to the trunk.
Simple“He carried the small child on his shoulders so she could see the parade.”
In context“The athlete suffered a minor injury to his left shoulder during the final minutes of the championship match.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the ability to deal with a difficult task or blame.
n.the capacity to bear a burden, task, or moral responsibility.
Simple“The young manager has a lot of responsibility on her shoulders.”
In context“The CEO felt the weight of the entire company's future resting on his shoulders during the merger negotiations.”
Synonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to accept a difficult job or responsibility.
v.to take on or accept a burden or responsibility; often used metaphorically.
Simple“She had to shoulder the cost of the repairs herself.”
In context“In the absence of clear leadership, the junior partner was forced to shoulder the blame for the project's eventual failure.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and usually takes an abstract noun like 'blame' or 'cost' as an object.