Make heavy weather of something

usgb
verb

To make a situation more difficult or complicated than it needs to be.

He could have finished the project much earlier but he made heavy weather of it and took twice as long as he should have.
Visual representation of "make heavy weather of something" - To make a situation more difficult or complicated than it needs to be

Often appears as...

  • making heavy weather of the project
  • made heavy weather of the problem

Usage tips

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "make heavy weather of something"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Exaggerated Difficulty

Use when someone is making a task seem harder than it is, either by overthinking or unnecessary steps.

Illustration for Exaggerated Difficulty
Even preparing tea, she makes heavy weather of it with an elaborate ceremony.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Frustration Implication

Implies the person's approach is causing frustration to themselves or others.

Illustration for Frustration Implication
In all our meetings, he makes heavy weather of the agenda, dragging each point out.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Avoid Underestimating

Be careful not to dismiss real difficulties faced by others as making heavy weather.

Illustration for Avoid Underestimating
I thought he was making heavy weather of the report, but it turns out it was quite complex.
Visual representation of the word "Make heavy weather of something"

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