millstone

UK //ˈmɪl.stəʊn//US //ˈmɪl.stoʊn//

词源

源自古英语 'mylnstān'，由 'myln'（磨坊）和 'stān'（石头）组成，字面意思为“磨坊的石头”。

❶ 磨石，特指用于磨坊中碾磨谷物的大圆石，通常成对使用。也比喻沉重的负担或难以摆脱的责任。

“The old mill still has its original millstones for grinding wheat.”

（这座老磨坊仍保留着最初用来磨小麦的磨石。）

“He felt the debt was a millstone around his neck.”

（他觉得这笔债务像挂在脖子上的磨盘般沉重。）

同义词:burden, load, weight, obligation, responsibility

a millstone around one's neck — 比喻长期困扰或拖累某人的人或事物，像挂在脖子上的磨石般沉重。

“The failing investment proved to be a millstone around his neck for years.”

（这项失败的投资多年来一直是他沉重的负担。）