Definition of the word weigh on

The origin of the phrasal verb "weigh on" can be traced back to the early 1800s. At that time, the verb "weigh" was primarily used in the context of measuring the weight of objects. The preposition "on" was used to indicate the location where something was being placed to be weighed. However, over time, the expression "weigh on" evolved to represent a figurative sense of burden or pressure. This change in meaning is believed to have originated from the idea that a heavy or uneasy feeling can weigh a person down, much like a physical weight bearing down on them. The use of "weigh on" in this sense became increasingly popular during the Victorian era, as the concept of emotional distress and psychological burden became more widely understood and acknowledged. Today, the phrase "weigh on" is commonly used to describe a wide range of concerns or difficulties that weigh heavily on a person's mind or emotions.