leg up

noun

Synonyms of leg upnext
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.
Maybe that background will give Forsythe a leg up in an offseason competition. Mike Kaye march 12, Charlotte Observer, 12 Mar. 2026 So Kathryn went down first with her leg up, and Sam went down right on top of Kathryn’s foot. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 12 Mar. 2026 The football culture alone gives that school a leg up on all but a few ACC programs. Stewart Mandel, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026 While that gave Sheets a leg up, Miller was wounded out of the gate — criticized for hiring a consultant who had been pleaded guilty to bribery, joining a lawsuit against Abbott over COVID-19 regulations and considering a run against Abbott at one point. Karen Brooks Harper austin Bureau, Dallas Morning News, 4 Mar. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Leg up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/leg%20up. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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