A dictionary of Confusable Phrases: More Than 10,000 Idioms and Collocations

careless of something • careless with something
careless of something —(also: careless about something ) uncon-
cerned about smth.: He became careless of the decencies which
were expected from a man so highly distinguished in the lit-
erary world.
careless with something —not thinking sensibly about how
one can best use or treat smth.: Remember that this is not a
time to be careless with money or turn over all the decisions
to someone else.
carry a load • carry the load
carry a load —(sl.) be alcohol intoxicated: Your father’s car-
rying a load again. What are we going to do?
carry the load —do or be responsible for the major part of a
job, etc.: We all knew that his wife carried the load in that
family.
See also: carry one’s weight / carry weight.
carry coals • carry coals to Newcastle
carry coals —(also: bear coals) submit to humiliation or in-
sult: Abraham observes that they will not carry coals, meaning
that they would not put up with insults.
carry coals to Newcastle —take goods, etc. to a place where
they are plentiful: My colleagues have already spoken exten-
sively…. To repeat these statements would be to carry coals
to Newcastle.
carry light • carry the torch
carry light—elucidate or clarify smth.: Arguments which
carry light have their effect, even against an opponent who
shuts his eyes.
Note: 
a) The expression does not correlate in meaning with
the phrase hold the spotlight— be in the center of attention: Pegi
held the spotlight with compelling songs, a lovely voice and
charming personality.
b) The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase
hide one’s light under a bushel
—(also: hide one’s light under
a bushel basket) show extreme modesty; conceal or suppress one’s
talents or successes: Since college, he’s observed that nobody
likes a know-it-all, and consequently continued to hide his
light under a bushel.
carry the torch —
1
. retain admiration or love for a person
(especially if the feeling is not mutual): She still carries the
torch for her former husband, Wyn, whose family couldn’t ac-
cept her working-class background. 2. support a movement
or cause: This group aims to carry the torch for the millions
of people who demonstrated and the thousands who died. Cf.:
pass the torch — relinquish one’s responsibilities, practice, etc. to
another person: He did his job well, avoided publicity, and
passed the torch to his successor.