leg up
B2 neutral
In simple words
Help to get up or over something physically, or a helpful advantage given by someone else.
Literal meaning: Using your clasped hands to give someone a boost upward with their leg.
Meanings
1 B2 neutral
An act of helping someone climb up by cupping one's hands for their foot to step into.
"Give me a leg up over this fence — I can't reach the top."
2 B2
idiomatic
neutral
An advantage or useful assistance that helps someone progress in their career, project, or life.
"Getting an internship at that firm gave her a real leg up in the industry."
Usage notes
Most commonly used as a noun phrase ('a leg up'), often in 'give someone a leg up'. In British English, also used literally for helping someone mount a horse or climb over a wall. The figurative sense is very common in business and career contexts.
Commonly used with
give get need advantage career opportunity
Forms
Base
leg up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
legs up
he/she/it
Past simple
leged up
yesterday
Past participle
leged up
have + pp
-ing form
leging up
continuous
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Synonyms
boost advantage head start helping hand push assist
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