wish on
C1Informal, conversational. Used more in spoken English than formal writing.
Definition
Meaning
To transfer or attribute an unwanted fate, burden, or responsibility to someone else; to hope someone experiences something (usually negative).
Often used to express the sentiment of 'I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy'—emphasizing something is so terrible you wouldn't want anyone to experience it. Can also imply cursing or wishing ill upon someone.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always carries a negative connotation. The object of the preposition 'on' is the person receiving the unwanted thing. The thing being wished is typically a hardship, problem, or unpleasant experience.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight preference in British English for 'wish upon' in the literal sense (e.g., wish upon a star). For the idiomatic negative sense, both use 'wish on' equally.
Connotations
Identical negative connotation in both dialects.
Frequency
Comparable frequency. The structure 'I wouldn't wish it on anyone' is a common fixed phrase in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + wouldn't wish + [something bad] + on + [person/entity]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.”
- “Don't wish that on me!”
- “What did I do to have this wished on me?”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in hyperbolic complaints about workload: 'I wouldn't this quarterly audit on anyone.'
Academic
Very rare. Might appear in literary analysis of curses or fate.
Everyday
Common in empathetic or complaining contexts about difficult experiences.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I wouldn't wish this dreadful weather on my neighbours, to be honest.
- She wished the tedious admin task on the new intern.
American English
- I wouldn't wish this traffic on anyone trying to get to the airport.
- He wished the blame for the mistake on his colleague.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Losing your passport is awful. I wouldn't wish it on you.
- She got a terrible cold and said, 'I wish this on nobody!'
- The stress of organizing that event was immense; I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy.
- It feels unfair that such a heavy responsibility was wished on me without consultation.
- The ethical dilemma he faced was so profound he wouldn't have wished it on his most respected mentor.
- Historians argue the treaty wished untenable reparations on the defeated nation, sowing future conflict.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of handing a heavy, ugly box (the bad thing) TO someone (ON them). You WISH they would take this burden OFF you.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN UNWANTED OBJECT IS A BURDEN THAT CAN BE TRANSFERRED TO ANOTHER PERSON'S SPACE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводить напрямую как 'желать на'. Конструкция 'желать кому-то чего-то' (желаю тебе проблем) здесь не подходит. Ближе: 'навязывать кому-то', 'подвергать кого-то чему-то'.
- Путаница с 'hope for' (надеяться на что-то хорошее). 'Wish on' почти всегда о плохом.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I wish on you a happy birthday.' (Use 'I wish you a happy birthday.')
- Incorrect: 'She wished the job on me.' (Possible but very rare for neutral/positive things. Usually requires negative context.)
- Omitting 'on': 'I wouldn't wish this headache anyone.'
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'wish on' used CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Extremely rarely and it sounds archaic or deliberately ironic. The default and modern usage is overwhelmingly for negative burdens. For positive wishes, use 'wish for' or simply 'wish' (I wish you luck).
'Wish for' is to desire something for yourself or generally (I wish for happiness). 'Wish on' is to desire that a specific thing (usually bad) happens to a specific other person.
No, that is a separate, literal phrasal verb meaning to make a wish directed at something (like a star or a wishing well). It is neutral or positive.
It is informal and conversational. In formal writing, alternatives like 'impose on', 'subject to', or 'condemn to' are preferred.