A variation to the phrase “hanging over my shoulders”

I couldn't find the exact definition of "hanging over someone's shoulders" online. I am not referring to the literal meaning, when, for example, you feel there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders.

How would you explain the idiom "hanging over someone's shoulders", and are there any other variations to the phrase?

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

2

I am not sure feeling like there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders is a literal meaning; I would consider this figurative.

– Mixolydian
Mar 21 at 18:17

1

The only thing hanging over one shoulders would be a shawl or wrap or straps for a contraption. Otherwise, in the plural, it is a no-go.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:47

Good point. You're right

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:00

add a comment |

I couldn't find the exact definition of "hanging over someone's shoulders" online. I am not referring to the literal meaning, when, for example, you feel there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders.

How would you explain the idiom "hanging over someone's shoulders", and are there any other variations to the phrase?

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

2

I am not sure feeling like there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders is a literal meaning; I would consider this figurative.

– Mixolydian
Mar 21 at 18:17

1

The only thing hanging over one shoulders would be a shawl or wrap or straps for a contraption. Otherwise, in the plural, it is a no-go.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:47

Good point. You're right

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:00

add a comment |

I couldn't find the exact definition of "hanging over someone's shoulders" online. I am not referring to the literal meaning, when, for example, you feel there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders.

How would you explain the idiom "hanging over someone's shoulders", and are there any other variations to the phrase?

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

I couldn't find the exact definition of "hanging over someone's shoulders" online. I am not referring to the literal meaning, when, for example, you feel there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders.

How would you explain the idiom "hanging over someone's shoulders", and are there any other variations to the phrase?

meaning idioms

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

asked Mar 21 at 18:03

pilti

553

2

I am not sure feeling like there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders is a literal meaning; I would consider this figurative.

– Mixolydian
Mar 21 at 18:17

1

The only thing hanging over one shoulders would be a shawl or wrap or straps for a contraption. Otherwise, in the plural, it is a no-go.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:47

Good point. You're right

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:00

add a comment |

2

I am not sure feeling like there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders is a literal meaning; I would consider this figurative.

– Mixolydian
Mar 21 at 18:17

1

The only thing hanging over one shoulders would be a shawl or wrap or straps for a contraption. Otherwise, in the plural, it is a no-go.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:47

Good point. You're right

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:00

I am not sure feeling like there is a ghost hanging over your shoulders is a literal meaning; I would consider this figurative.

– Mixolydian
Mar 21 at 18:17

The only thing hanging over one shoulders would be a shawl or wrap or straps for a contraption. Otherwise, in the plural, it is a no-go.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:47

Good point. You're right

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:00

add a comment |

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

It depends somewhat on the thing that is hanging over your shoulders, and how it is affecting you.

If you feel that you are being observed constantly, then someone or something is looking over your shoulder:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time!

If you are uneasy because of some pressure or responsibility being placed upon you, there are a few phrases that would work:

I'm always stressed because of all the work that's been put on my shoulders.

I'd like to go out tonight, but I have an important deadline hanging over my head.

If something is irritating you because of its constant presence, you could say that it's on my back:

My boss is always on my back about getting these reports done.

If you can just barely sense the presence of something or someone, they might be lurking.

There were ghosts lurking in every corner, just out of sight.

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

1

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

add a comment |

fall/rest on someone's shoulders means to be someone's responsibility.

All the work of cleaning fell on my shoulders.

But by extension hang can also be used in place of fall/rest.

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

add a comment |

I hear it in the singular, not plural. "Hanging over one's shoulder." When Tom (for example) is hanging over Steve's shoulder, Tom is looking at what Steve is looking at. The implication is that Steve does NOT want this; "hanging over one's shoulder" is usually a negative comment. "Tom, please stop hanging over my shoulder."

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

2

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

2

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

1

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

add a comment |

Your Answer

StackExchange.ready(function() {
var channelOptions = {
tags: "".split(" "),
id: "481"
};
initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
// Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
createEditor();
});
}
else {
createEditor();
}
});

function createEditor() {
StackExchange.prepareEditor({
heartbeatType: 'answer',
autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
convertImagesToLinks: false,
noModals: true,
showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
reputationToPostImages: null,
bindNavPrevention: true,
postfix: "",
imageUploader: {
brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
allowUrls: true
},
noCode: true, onDemand: true,
discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
});

}
});

draft saved

draft discarded

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

StackExchange.ready(
function () {
StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fell.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f201693%2fa-variation-to-the-phrase-hanging-over-my-shoulders%23new-answer', 'question_page');
}
);

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

3 Answers
3

active

oldest

votes

It depends somewhat on the thing that is hanging over your shoulders, and how it is affecting you.

If you feel that you are being observed constantly, then someone or something is looking over your shoulder:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time!

If you are uneasy because of some pressure or responsibility being placed upon you, there are a few phrases that would work:

I'm always stressed because of all the work that's been put on my shoulders.

I'd like to go out tonight, but I have an important deadline hanging over my head.

If something is irritating you because of its constant presence, you could say that it's on my back:

My boss is always on my back about getting these reports done.

If you can just barely sense the presence of something or someone, they might be lurking.

There were ghosts lurking in every corner, just out of sight.

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

1

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

add a comment |

It depends somewhat on the thing that is hanging over your shoulders, and how it is affecting you.

If you feel that you are being observed constantly, then someone or something is looking over your shoulder:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time!

If you are uneasy because of some pressure or responsibility being placed upon you, there are a few phrases that would work:

I'm always stressed because of all the work that's been put on my shoulders.

I'd like to go out tonight, but I have an important deadline hanging over my head.

If something is irritating you because of its constant presence, you could say that it's on my back:

My boss is always on my back about getting these reports done.

If you can just barely sense the presence of something or someone, they might be lurking.

There were ghosts lurking in every corner, just out of sight.

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

1

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

add a comment |

It depends somewhat on the thing that is hanging over your shoulders, and how it is affecting you.

If you feel that you are being observed constantly, then someone or something is looking over your shoulder:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time!

If you are uneasy because of some pressure or responsibility being placed upon you, there are a few phrases that would work:

I'm always stressed because of all the work that's been put on my shoulders.

I'd like to go out tonight, but I have an important deadline hanging over my head.

If something is irritating you because of its constant presence, you could say that it's on my back:

My boss is always on my back about getting these reports done.

If you can just barely sense the presence of something or someone, they might be lurking.

There were ghosts lurking in every corner, just out of sight.

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

It depends somewhat on the thing that is hanging over your shoulders, and how it is affecting you.

If you feel that you are being observed constantly, then someone or something is looking over your shoulder:

I can't concentrate with you looking over my shoulder all the time!

If you are uneasy because of some pressure or responsibility being placed upon you, there are a few phrases that would work:

I'm always stressed because of all the work that's been put on my shoulders.

I'd like to go out tonight, but I have an important deadline hanging over my head.

If something is irritating you because of its constant presence, you could say that it's on my back:

My boss is always on my back about getting these reports done.

If you can just barely sense the presence of something or someone, they might be lurking.

There were ghosts lurking in every corner, just out of sight.

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

answered Mar 21 at 18:25

Jesse

1,380510

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

1

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

add a comment |

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

1

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

"Hanging around like a bad smell" might be an alternative, if the attention was unwanted.

– Justin_In_Oz
Mar 22 at 3:24

Is "hanging over one's shoulder" a common phrase used? Looking/standing is what I found when I did a search for it.

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:05

I don't think "hanging over one's shoulder" is a common phrase, which is why I didn't include it.

– Jesse
Mar 22 at 19:10

add a comment |

fall/rest on someone's shoulders means to be someone's responsibility.

All the work of cleaning fell on my shoulders.

But by extension hang can also be used in place of fall/rest.

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

add a comment |

fall/rest on someone's shoulders means to be someone's responsibility.

All the work of cleaning fell on my shoulders.

But by extension hang can also be used in place of fall/rest.

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

add a comment |

fall/rest on someone's shoulders means to be someone's responsibility.

All the work of cleaning fell on my shoulders.

But by extension hang can also be used in place of fall/rest.

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

fall/rest on someone's shoulders means to be someone's responsibility.

All the work of cleaning fell on my shoulders.

But by extension hang can also be used in place of fall/rest.

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

edited Mar 22 at 7:11

RubioRic

5,33411337

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

answered Mar 21 at 18:32

Kshitij Singh

1,387218

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

add a comment |

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

google.com/amp/s/www.macmillandictionary.com/amp/dictionary/…

– Kshitij Singh
Mar 21 at 18:33

you should edit that link into the answer. Don't leave answer content in the comments

– Aethenosity
Mar 21 at 21:03

add a comment |

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

2

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

2

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

1

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

add a comment |

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

2

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

2

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

1

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

add a comment |

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

answered Mar 21 at 18:07

Edward Barnard

3965

2

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

2

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

1

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

add a comment |

2

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

2

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

1

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

In Britain, I think we would be more likely to say "standing" or "looking" over one's shoulder, meaning excessively and dominantly supervising or checking what one is doing, or being inquisitive.

– Michael Harvey
Mar 21 at 18:29

@Michael Harvey You can be "hanging over someone's shoulder at a computer" or something like that. And that has nothing to do with BrE or AmE. But it would always be singular, yes.

– Lambie
Mar 21 at 18:45

So "standing/looking over one's shoulder" is a phrase used instead of "hanging"? Is "hanging" wrong to use in this context?

– pilti
Mar 22 at 15:04

add a comment |

draft saved

draft discarded

Thanks for contributing an answer to English Language Learners Stack Exchange!

Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

But avoid …

Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.

To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.

draft saved

draft discarded

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Sign up or log in

StackExchange.ready(function () {
StackExchange.helpers.onClickDraftSave('#login-link');
});

Post as a guest

Name

Required, but never shown

Name

Required, but never shown

Name

Required, but never shown

This page is only for reference, If you need detailed information, please check here

搜尋此網誌

Argthtjtr