heavy

be heavy going

1. if something, especially something you read, is heavy going, it is not easy or enjoyable. The first half of the novel is rather heavy going, but don't give up.

2. if someone is heavy going, they are boring. Please don't make me sit next to Dennis at the party. I find him really heavy going.

See also: going

be heavy-footed (American, informal)

have a heavy foot - to drive a car too fast. I don't think he's heard of speed limits. He's pretty heavy-footed.

be on the [expensive/heavy/large etc.] side

to be a little too expensive, heavy, large etc.. It's a really good restaurant - it's on the expensive side, mind. I really like the table but I think it's a bit on the large side for our room.

See also: large, side

have a heavy foot (American, informal)

to drive a car too fast. She has a heavy foot - does the trip in half the time it takes me!

See also: foot

a heavy date (American & Australian, humorous)

a planned meeting between two people who are very interested in having a romantic or sexual relationship. I think Carol has a heavy date - she's been in the bathroom for over an hour.

See also: date

a heavy hitter (American)

someone who is powerful and has achieved a lot. Have you seen his resumé? He's a real heavy hitter.

heavy petting

the activity of kissing and touching someone sexually. That baby couldn't be mine. We never got further than some heavy petting.

heavy-duty (American & Australian, informal)

complicated and very serious. Studies show that the homeless develop some heavy-duty health problems living on the streets. (always before noun)

heavy-handed

1. if you try to control someone or something in a heavy-handed way, you use more force than is necessary or suitable. His heavy-handed style of management is extremely unpopular.

2. if an attempt to tell or teach someone something is heavy-handed, it is too obvious. The theme of drug abuse is treated in a way that is convincing without being heavy-handed.

hot and heavy (American, informal)

if something or someone is hot and heavy, they are full of strong emotions or sexual feelings. Guess who I saw getting hot and heavy on the dance floor? Television news coverage of the fighting has been hot and heavy.

See also: hot

make heavy weather of something/doing something (British & Australian)

to take a longer time than necessary to do something. He's making heavy weather of writing his report, Ingrid finished hers days ago.

See also: weather

time hangs/lies heavy (on someone's hands)

if time hangs heavy, it seems to pass slowly because you do not have enough to do. Time hangs heavy on your hands in prison.

See also: hang, lie, time

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hot and heavy

full of very strong feelings. The argument is still going hot and heavy about whether genetically modified foods are safe to eat.

See also: hot