lay stress on (something)

To put particular emphasis on some topic, issue, or aspect. Our school is aiming to lay stress on individual styles of learning, rather than focusing on standardized tests and curriculum. Bring up the difficulties the project has faced, but make sure you lay stress on all the success you've had.

no stress

1. That is not a problem; don't worry about it. A: "It looks like the file was deleted when the computer crashed." B: "No stress, there should be a backup copy." A: "Sorry about last night, I was out of line." B: "No stress, man. I know you didn't mean it."

2. I would be happy to. A: "Would you mind emptying the dishwasher for me?" B: "Sure, no stress."

stress

informal

1. To experience mental, psychological, or emotional strain or tension. You've got stop stressing, dude. Everything will be fine, so just relax! I know you're nervous about the interview, but stressing over it isn't going to help you do well.

2. To cause someone to experience mental, psychological, or emotional strain or tension. The tight deadlines for this new project are really stressing me out. We need to issue a memo to reassure everyone about the state of the company. We don't want to stress our employees, after all.

stress out

1. To experience a lot of mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension. Now, don't stress out, but the boss has some things he wants you to change in the project. I can't believe he's stressing out about something so trivial.

2. To cause someone to experience a lot of mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension. This term paper has been really stressing me out—I just don't know what to write for it! Try not to stress your employees out, as it can affect both their productivity and, in turn, your revenue potential.

See also: out, stress

stressed out

Experiencing a lot of mental, emotional, or physical strain or tension. Now, don't get stressed out, but the boss has some things he wants you to change in the project. I've been really stressed out trying to figure out what to write for my term paper.

See also: out, stress

too blessed to be stressed

Used to downplay or shift focus from one's feelings of stress by instead considering all that one has to be grateful for. Sure, having three little kids at home is overwhelming, but when I consider that they're all happy and healthy, I remind myself that I'm too blessed to be stressed. I used to say "I'm too blessed to be stressed," but I found that speaking honestly about my feelings was a much more effective way to alleviate them.

lay emphasis on something

and lay stress on something

to place emphasis on something; to emphasize something. When you present this explanation, lay emphasis on the matter of personal responsibility. I'm afraid I laid too much stress on the notion of good attendance. If you are really sick, stay home!

no stress

Inf. no problem; no bother. Don't worry, man, no stress. Relax. No stress. It doesn't bother me at all.

stress out

Subject to or undergo extreme pressure or strain, as from working. For example, I badly need a vacation; I'm just plain stressed out from this job and its aggravations. The verb stress has meant "afflict with hardship" or "distress" since the 16th century, but the phrase stress out, alluding to psychological stress, dates only from the 1940s.

See also: out, stress

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

stress out

v. Slang

1. To subject something to extreme stress, as from working too much: The tight deadlines are stressing out everybody in the office. I might not be cut out for this job; the demanding schedule stresses me out. Don't stress yourself out trying to finish the project; I'll take care of it.

2. To undergo extreme stress, as from working too much: You're always stressing out about things that can't be changed.

See also: out, stress

no stress

interj. no problem; no bother. Relax. No stress. It doesn’t bother me at all.

stress

1. in. to suffer annoyance; to experience stress. Clare finds that she is stressing more and more about little things.

2. tv. to annoy or bother someone. (see also stressed.) Don’t stress Willy! He’s had a hard day.

stressed

mod. upset; annoyed. Come on, man, don’t get stressed! It’s only a gag.