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.
In 911 calls released to the Herald, Rose is heard taking instructions from her father to hold her brother’s leg up to slow the bleeding. David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 3 Sep. 2025 The winner here gets an early leg up — in both the MVP race and the race for the AFC’s top seed. Matt Schubert, Denver Post, 30 Aug. 2025 With so many young players needing to be developed, Belichick's skill-set should give him a leg up on the competition. Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025 That likely gave Starlink a leg up since satellite internet service is widely available and cheaper to deploy compared with laying miles of fiber optic cable. PC Magazine, 29 Aug. 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 10 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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