pull your weight — do your fair share
expressionB1IELTS 5+informalcommon
To do your fair share of the work in a group, so others aren't left doing it for you.
Pattern: pull your/his/her/their weight
In use
- If everyone pulls their weight, we'll finish the project by Friday.group project
- A: Why are we so behind on the slides?
B: Honestly, Tom isn't pulling his weight.frustrated with a group member
Common mistake
✗ You have to pull your weights.
✓ You have to pull your weight.
It's always singular 'weight', and the pronoun matches the person: 'pull your/their weight'.
Don't confuse it
'Pull your weight' = do your fair share; 'carry the team' = do far more than your share.