cross to bear

Idioms  

1. A burden or trial one must put up with, as in Alzheimer's is a cross to bear for the whole family, or in a lighter vein, Mowing that huge lawn once a week is Brad's cross to bear: This phrase alludes to the cross carried by Jesus to his crucifixion. Today it may be used either seriously or lightly. [Second half of 1500s]

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cross to bear

“This little face: That’s going to be your cross to bear every day,” Arias said.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 2, 2023

This is my cross to bear and one of my most embarrassing admissions.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2022

A Grand Slam title at 18, and a world ranking of 12 at 19, opens a lot of doors - but the associated expectation and profile are a heavy cross to bear.

From BBC ● May 17, 2022

“All these are Navy challenges and our cross to bear, so to speak,” Adm.

From Washington Times ● Oct. 30, 2021

But reconciliation with Tata Ndu was a mighty cross to bear.

From "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver

Related Words

• adversity
• grief
• heartache
• misery
• misfortune
• woe