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burden
bear the burden (of something)
To endure something distressing, painful, stressful, or emotionally or physically taxing, especially for the sake of others. Our mother bore the burden of this farm for 53 years until the day she died. My partner quit his job to stay home with the baby, so I have to bear the burden of earning enough to pay the mortgage.
burden of proof
The requirement and obligation of providing sound, reasonable evidence supporting a charge or allegation. Originating and used primarily in law, it can be applied more broadly to any situation in which a contentious dispute arises. In court, the burden of proof always rests on the plaintiffs and the prosecutors. The burden of proof is on you to show that the computer was broken before you bought it.
beast of burden
A domesticated animal used by humans to carry or pull heavy loads. Camels have been used by people as beasts of burden for thousands of years because of their size, strength, and ability to travel long distances with minimal need for food and water.
burden someone or something with someone or something
to bother or weigh down someone or something with someone or something. Please don't burden us with the bad news at this time. I don't want to burden the school with a troublesome child.
burden someone with something
to give unpleasant information to someone; to give someone some bad news. I hate to burden you with this, but your cat ran away. I wish I had not been burdened with all the facts.
a beast of burden
(literary) a large animal, such as a donkey (= an animal like a small horse with long ears), which is used for pulling vehicles or carrying heavy loads Huskies are traditionally used in the Arctic as beasts of burden.
burden of proof
Obligation of proving a disputed charge or allegation. For example, Are you sure you mailed the tax return on time? The burden of proof's on you. A legal term dating from the late 1500s, it has also been used more loosely in recent times.