leverage Definition
- 1the exertion of force by means of a lever or an object used in the manner of a lever
- 2use (something) to maximum advantage
Using leverage: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "leverage" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He used his wealth to leverage political influence.
Example
The company leveraged its network of contacts to expand into new markets.
Example
She leveraged her experience to negotiate a higher salary.
Example
The team's success was due to their ability to leverage each other's strengths.
leverage Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using leverage
Example
He was able to get leverage on his opponent by exposing their weaknesses.
Example
She had leverage over her boss because she knew about their unethical behavior.
Example
He used his friend as a leverage to get the job.
Phrases with leverage
Example
The company used financial leverage to acquire its competitors.
Example
The private equity firm completed a leverage buyout of the company.
a financial metric that measures the amount of debt used to finance a company's assets
Example
The leverage ratio of the company was too high, which made it difficult to secure additional financing.
Origins of leverage
from Old French 'lever', meaning 'to raise'
Summary: leverage in Brief
The term 'leverage' [ˈlev(ə)rɪdʒ] refers to the use of force or an object to achieve maximum advantage. It can be used as a noun or verb, and is often associated with business and finance. Examples include 'He used his wealth to leverage political influence,' and 'The team's success was due to their ability to leverage each other's strengths.' Phrases like 'financial leverage' and 'leverage buyout' denote specific financial concepts, while idioms like 'have leverage over someone' imply having an advantage over others.