hang heavy
1. To be suspended in air in significant amounts. Smoke hung heavy in the air of the cocktail lounge. Ugh, it feels so gross out here in the summertime when humidity hangs heavy in the air. We can barely go outside right now because of the wildfires. Smoke hangs heavy in the air all the time.
2. Of something negative, to linger or continue to be apparent in a way that is unpleasant or oppressive. This usage usually refers to something intangible, such as a quality or feeling. Tension hung heavy in the air after Kiki made her accusation. Mom's displeasure hung heavy over us when we got home after curfew. Sadness already hung heavy in the air as we walked into the church for the funeral.
3. To cause strong and lingering feelings of uneasiness. The documentary hung heavy on me for days after I watched it. I'm pretty sure that meeting hung heavy on all of us afterward. I mean, no one expected the boss to give the promotion to Greg, that pompous jerk. The funeral hung heavy on me long after I'd left the church and returned to work. That poor girl was just so young.
lie heavy
1. To be suspended in air in significant amounts. Smoke lay heavy in the air of the cocktail lounge.
2. Of something negative, to linger or continue to be apparent in a way that is unpleasant or oppressive. This usage usually refers to something intangible, such as a quality or feeling. Tension lay heavy in the air after Kiki made her accusation.
3. To cause strong and lingering feelings of uneasiness. The documentary lay heavy on me for days after I watched it.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.