shoulder

The part of your body where your arm joins the main part of your body.

• My shoulder hurts.
• She injured her shoulder playing tennis.
• He rolled his shoulders to relax the muscles.

Common phrases: shoulder pain, shoulder injury, left shoulder, shoulder joint

The upper surface of your body beside your neck, where you can rest or carry something.

• The bird sat on my shoulder.
• She rested her head on his shoulder.
• He carried the heavy bag over one shoulder.

Common phrases: on your shoulder, over your shoulder, shoulder strap

The strip beside a road where vehicles can stop in an emergency.

• We stopped on the shoulder.
• The car had a flat tire on the highway shoulder.
• Keep the shoulder clear for emergency vehicles.

Common phrases: road shoulder, hard shoulder, on the shoulder

To accept the duty of dealing with something difficult or taking responsibility for it.

• I will shoulder the blame.
• They shouldered the cost of repairing the school.
• He has shouldered most of the responsibility since his father became ill.

How to use it: shoulder responsibility for something (She shouldered responsibility for the failure.)

Similar words: bear, take on, assume

Common phrases: shoulder the blame, shoulder responsibility, shoulder the cost

To carry something on the upper part of your body, or deal with a difficult task or burden.

• He shouldered his bag and left.
• The soldiers shouldered their rifles.
• She shouldered the heavy burden of caring for the family.

Similar words: carry, bear

Common phrases: shoulder a bag, shoulder a burden, shoulder a rifle

To push someone or something using the part of your body beside your neck.

• He shouldered the door open.
• She shouldered her way past the waiting fans.
• The defender shouldered him aside and took the ball.

How to use it: shoulder your way through something (He shouldered his way through the crowd.); shoulder someone/something aside (She shouldered the other player aside.)

Common phrases: shoulder someone aside, shoulder your way, shoulder something open

To use power or pressure to make someone lose their place, position, or influence.

• The new boss shouldered her aside.
• He was shouldered out of the band he had started.
• Powerful rivals tried to shoulder her out of the committee.

How to use it: shoulder someone out of something (They shouldered him out of the business.)

Similar words: push aside, force out

Common phrases: shoulder someone out, shoulder someone aside