Hang over your head Meaning in English

expression

US

ˈhæŋ/ /ˈoʊvɝ/ /ˈjɔɹ/, /ˈjʊɹ/ /ˈhɛd

HANG OH-ver yor HED

UK

hˈæŋ/ /ˈəʊvɐ/ /jˈɔː/ /hˈɛd

hang OH-vuh yaw HEAD

Definition

If something hangs over your head, you keep worrying about it because it is a problem or responsibility that you haven’t dealt with yet.

Usage & Nuances

This is an idiomatic, informal expression. Usually used with problems, deadlines, or worries, often with negative feelings. Common: 'The deadline is hanging over my head'. Not about physical objects.

• Spanish: pesar sobre ti - estar pendiente sobre ti
• Portuguese (BR): pairar sobre você - pesar sobre sua cabeça
• Portuguese (PT): pairar sobre ti - pesar sobre a tua cabeça
• Chinese (Simplified): 一直困扰你 - 像乌云一样笼罩着你
• Chinese (Traditional): 一直困擾你 - 像烏雲一樣籠罩著你
• Hindi: सिर पर मंडराना - चिंता का कारण बनना
• Arabic: يُخيّم عليك - يبقى يضغط عليك
• Bengali: মাথার উপর ঝুলে থাকা - চিন্তার বোঝা
• Russian: давить на голову - висеть над головой (переносно)
• Japanese: 頭の上にのしかかる - 頭上に重くのしかかる
• Vietnamese: đè nặng lên đầu - ám ảnh
• Korean: 머리 위에 짊어지다 - 머리 위에 늘 부담이 되다
• Turkish: başının üzerinde asılı durmak - kafasına takılmak
• Urdu: سر پر منڈلانا - ذہن پر بوجھ بننا
• Indonesian: membayangi pikiran - membebani kepala

Example Sentences

I can't relax with debt hanging over my head.

basic

She hates having unfinished work hanging over her head.

basic

The final exam is hanging over my head all week.

basic

That project is really hanging over my head—I wish I could finish it already.

natural

Don’t let little things hang over your head—just deal with them as they come.

natural

Even on vacation, my work emails kept hanging over my head.

natural