Welcome to Idiom 100, where we learn 100 commonly used idioms by native English speakers.

All of the explanations are in English, so it might be challenging for you,

but just try to imagine the meanings in your head and study hard and soon you'll be able to use these idioms in your conversations.

Is everyone ready? Let's begin.

Hello everyone!

Today's idiom is: what you say carries weight.

What you say carries weight.

So, this is a really tough idiom and quite long.

So, let's think a little about how we can imagine a picture to help us understand.

Hmm, let's see. What you say...

So, here we have your words and they're very big and powerful words

and they're going to pick up and carry lots of heavy things, because your words are so strong and so powerful,

your words can carry lots of weight.

Okay, your words, what you say carries weight, very big and powerful words.

Okay, so let's listen to the examples and think more about the meaning of this idiom.

Now, the prime minister is doing his commencement speech on TV, so you have to make sure to watch it.

Why?

Because what he says carries weight.

Alright, the prime minister words are very big and powerful and they carry weight.

Okay, maybe they have a lot of influence.

The next example:

Have you decided on what to say at your graduation?

I’m trying to be careful on what to say, because I know what I say will carry a lot of weight for all the students.

Okay, so he has to give a speech at his graduation and he knows that what he says

will be very strong and powerful and important to the students.

So, he has to be careful to say something good and meaningful.

Alright, so 'what you say carries weight' means what you say has a big influence on the people who are listening.

What you say carries weight... maybe you're a very powerful and strong person, such as a president or a prime minister

or maybe a teacher, what you say carries weight to your students.

You have to be careful not to criticize them or say something mean.

Okay, if you're a mother or a father, what you say carries weight on your children.

You have to encourage them and tell them good things.

Okay, so let's try using 'what you say carries weight' or 'what I say carries weight' and I'll see you next time.