heavies

1. 1
   noun

   Plural of heavy.

   A pair of heavies blocked the alley and demanded the money.

   The producer surrounded himself with heavies whenever he traveled.

   Note

   One plural spelling covers a whole cast of slang figures: screen villains, bouncers and bodyguards, and the major players in a field. In the plural it also names the quality newspapers (the heavies), and in aviation it means large multi-engined aircraft. An older theatrical slang use, now archaic, called serious roles heavies. The same spelling is also the verb meaning "pressures".

2. 2
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present of heavy.

   The foreman heavies new workers until they fall into line.

   He heavies witnesses into changing their stories before the trial.

   Note

   Consonant plus y becomes -ies here, just as carry becomes carries. When it means leaning on someone, using power or money to pressure people, governments or companies, it is informal and belongs to Australian and New Zealand English. The verb has quieter meanings too: to make something heavier, or to sadden someone.

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