pull weight


pull (one's) weight

To contribute to a group activity or project in proportion to one's abilities or role. If you don't pull your weight, our presentation will never be finished on time.See also: pull, weight

pull (one's) weight

To do one's own share, as of work.See also: pull, weight

pull one's (own) weight, to

To do one’s share of the work. This term comes from rowing, where each member of a crew must pull on an oar at least hard enough to propel his or her own weight. The term was used figuratively from about 1900 on. In a 1902 speech, Theodore Roosevelt said, “The first requisite of a good citizen . . . is that he shall be able and willing to pull his weight.” See also: pull