1.saddle用作名词的意思是“鞍子”或类似鞍子的鞍状物,转化为动词意为“套上马鞍”,引申可表示“使(某人)负担”责任、债务等,既可指别人强加于自己的负担,也可指由于自己的过错而造成的负担。
2.saddle一般用作及物动词,常接动物作宾语。表示“使(某人)负担”责任、债务时,常与介词with连用。

saddle on〔upon〕(v.+prep.)
〈非正〉强迫(某人)接受 force acceptance of (sth/sb unwanted) on〔upon〕 (sb)
▲saddle sth on〔upon〕 sb
Don't try to saddle your dirty work on me!别想强迫我干你那脏活!

saddle up(v.+adv.)
给(马)备鞍 put a saddle on (a horse)
▲saddle up
We got the order to saddle up just after dawn.我们得到命令,天一亮就要上好马鞍。
▲saddle sth⇔up
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
The horses were saddled up and ready to move.马已上好了鞍,只等出发了。

saddle with(v.+prep.)
〈非正〉强迫(某人)承担 force (sb or oneself) to accept (sth/sb unwanted); give (sb or oneself) the responsibility for (sth/sb)
▲saddle with sth
He saddled with a large house which he can't sell or keep repaired.他有一所既不能出售又不能修理的大房子,担子沉重。
▲saddle sb with sth/v-ing
He saddled his parents with heavy debts.他让父母背上了沉重的债务。
Don't saddle me with taking the children to school again.不要让孩子上学给我再增加负担了。
◇ 常用于be ～ed结构
I am always being saddled with extra duties.我总是被迫承担许多额外的责任。
She was saddled with the responsibility of educating three small children.她承担着教育三个孩子的责任。
He was saddled with a large family to support.他负有养家的重担。
At his father's death he was saddled with heavy debts.他父亲的死使他负起很重的债务。

用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
He saddled his horse, mounted, and rode away at a gallop.他给马套上鞍子,跨上马背疾驰而去。
It is no surprise that she could saddle the horses.她能给马备鞍并没有什么值得惊讶的。
They saddled a gentle pony for the child.他们给一匹温顺的小马套上鞍让那孩子骑。

［词源］＜古英语sadol(鞍,鞍状物)

in the saddle
1.骑着马on horseback
He spent hours in the saddle.他骑了几个小时的马。
2.处于控制地位in a position of control
It's good to have an experienced man in the saddle again.又有一位经验丰富的人掌权,这太好了。

Please give me a lift onto the saddle.请扶我上马鞍。
He was putting a saddle on the horse.他正在给马备鞍。
The bicycle saddle is too high for this child.这辆自行车车座对这孩子来说太高了。