leg up

noun

1
: a helping hand : boost
2

Examples of leg up in a Sentence

a key endorsement that would give the struggling candidate a real leg up right now
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But Cheveldayoff gave future versions of his team a leg up by making the difficult decision on Copp in 2022. Murat Ates, The Athletic, 20 Feb. 2025 The most recent leg up is a direct result of anticipation that the Fed likely will not be as accommodating in 2025 following a full percentage point cut in benchmark borrowing rates since September, according to Michael Darda, chief economist and macrostrategist at Roth Capital Partners. Jeff Cox, CNBC, 30 Dec. 2024 In higher education, research institution designations carry weight, and the new designation for IU Indy will give it a leg up in recruiting students, faculty and staff. Arika Herron, Axios, 18 Feb. 2025 Maya’s efforts to give Debut a leg up in life are constantly derailed, both by the unfolding plot and by the family’s larger circumstances. Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 16 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for leg up

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of leg up was in 1871

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Cite this Entry

“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leg%20up. Accessed 11 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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