to hang over someone's head

Examples

• All

• You are facing trial with twenty years hanging over your head.

  The Big Shot (1942)

• l got good grades and all, but there was that required Math class... hanging over my head.

  American Splendor (2003)

• Arrest warrants had still not been issued several months later when we met, but the threat was hanging over Fajardo's head.

  Blog text (18)

• I can't help worrying about it while it hangs over my head.

  A Patch of Blue (1965)

• He's got three deadlines hanging over his head, and he's messin' around?

  High Strung (1992)

• The uncertainty of losing his job hung over his head, making it difficult for him to focus.

• With the deadline for the project hanging over her head, she worked late into the night.

• The fear of failing the exam hung over his head, causing him a lot of anxiety.

Synonyms

W

to worry

vsto hang over someone's head

∞ 1.0

To make someone feel nervous or upset about possible problems

is anxiety specifically caused by an unpleasant possible future event rather than general concern

W

to weigh

vsto hang over someone's head

89 5.8

To make someone feel worried or burdened

is worry caused by a possible upcoming threat rather than general burden

H

to hover

vsto hang over someone's head

37 5.3

To be present in a way that causes worry or fear

is anxiety about a possible future event rather than a mere present mood

W

to weigh on

vsto hang over someone's head

23 5.2

To cause worry or sadness that stays in someone's mind

is specific worry about a possible future threat rather than general pressure

W

to weigh down

vsto hang over someone's head

9 4.9

Make someone feel sad or worried

is worry linked to a possible future threat rather than general emotional heaviness

N

to nag

vsto hang over someone's head

5 3.9

To feel a small, constant worry that bothers you

is anxiety that comes from a specific looming threat rather than repeated reminders

H

to hang heavy

vsto hang over someone's head

2 8.6

To create a dark, worrying feeling that stays with people

is concern tied to a future threatening event instead of just atmosphere

W

to weigh on someone's mind

vsto hang over someone's head

1 6.0

To make someone feel worried for a long time

is anxiety caused by a possible unpleasant event that may happen

H

to hang heavy in the air

vsto hang over someone's head

1 7.7

A strong feeling that people in a place notice and feel

is worry about a possible coming threat rather than an immediate mood

O

to overwind

vsto hang over someone's head

7.9

To make someone feel very nervous and upset

is ongoing anxiety from a future threat rather than short excessive agitation

Antonyms

C

to calm

962 1.0

Make a person or animal less upset

R

to reassure

163 3.4

To make someone feel less worried and more confident

How Worrying

to hang over someone's head

7.6

to weigh on

23 5.2

to nag

5 3.9

to bother

∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology