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3. inflict on

inflict on

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inflict someone (up)on someone

to burden someone with the care or keeping of someone else. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) Please don't inflict Bob upon me. My brother inflicted his children on us for the weekend. Well, I certainly don't want to inflict myself on you for the weekend, but I do need a place to stay.

See also: on

inflict something (up)on someone or something

to impose something, such as pain, a burden, a problem, etc., on someone or something. (Upon is formal and less commonly used than on.) I hate to inflict an additional burden upon you, but someone has to clean the oven. Please don't inflict that on me.

See also: on

inflict on

or inflict upon

v.

To deal or mete out something that punishes or is burdensome; impose something: The insurgents inflicted heavy losses on the troops. The hurricane inflicted great damage upon the coastal communities.

See also: on