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

In the midst of redistricting the commissioners precincts to give Republicans a leg up in elections, the three Republican members of the Tarrant County Commissioners Court said their goal was a 4-1 majority. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Nov. 2026

Does limited roster turnover the season following a championship give a team a leg up over others that were reconstructed year over year? — Kyle Wagner, New York Daily News, 2 Nov. 2026

The Chiefs beat Denver already once this season, so a win can give KC a leg up in the division race. — Pete Grathoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Oct. 2026

Fortunately, there are ways to get a leg up on better balance. — Angela Haupt, Time, 27 Oct. 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