impose on
Idioms-
Force something on someone; also, levy a tax or duty. For example, Don't try to impose your ideas on me , or The British crown imposed a tariff on tea . [Late 1500s]
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Force oneself on others; take unfair advantage of. For example, Am I imposing on you if I stay overnight? or He's always imposing on us, dropping in unexpectedly with numerous friends . [Early 1600s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The CMA has a range of powers including fines they can impose on firms.
From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026
This is the most profitable line of business for many banks, producing $120 billion in interest income and $162 billion in fees, chiefly those the card issuers impose on merchants.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 14, 2026
“Our binding agreement with Netflix will offer superior value at greater levels of certainty, without the significant risks and costs Paramount’s offer would impose on our shareholders.”
From MarketWatch • Jan. 7, 2026
She is worried about the stresses such winds would impose on the main columns.
From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025
“It is a punishment I impose on myself,” La Llorona began.
From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
