leg up

noun

1

: a helping hand : boost

2

: head start

Synonyms of leg up

• assistance
• assist
• support
• help
• boost
• aid

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

But Bob Jarvis, a law professor at Nova Southeastern University agreed that voter registration numbers in the red-leaning district and Elijah’s TV experience gives him a leg up. — Annie Martin, The Orlando Sentinel, 19 Aug. 2026

That direct link gives Wall Street a leg up over retail traders by delivering Truth Social posts split seconds faster than the public sees them. — David Goldman, CNN Money, 11 Aug. 2026

And yet each leg up in the market heightens the risk of more Situational Awareness-like squeezes, and of individualized distress giving way to a broader bust. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 10 Aug. 2026

Her appointment to the role, instead of giving her a leg up over the competition, may ultimately hold her back by preventing her from getting to know voters during a weeks-long sprint to Tuesday. — ABC News, 8 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1871, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for leg up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup