What does “Give someone a leg up” mean?

"Give someone a leg up" means to provide assistance or support to someone in order to help them succeed or make progress.

What context can I use the in?

Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!

Example

I'll give you a leg up by introducing you to some influential people in the industry.

Example

He gave me a leg up by recommending me for the job.

Example

She's always willing to give others a leg up in their careers

Is “Give someone a leg up” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?

“Give someone a leg up” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.

How would I use “Give someone a leg up” effectively in context?

You can use "Give someone a leg up" to describe providing assistance or support to someone in order to help them succeed or make progress. For example, if you have connections in a particular industry and you introduce a friend to influential people in that industry, you can say, 'I'll give you a leg up by introducing you to some influential people in the industry.'

1Networking
He gave me a leg up by recommending me for the job.
He gave me a leg up by recommending me for the job.
2Mentoring
She's always willing to give others a leg up in their careers.
She's always willing to give others a leg up in their careers.
3Support
After struggling to find clients, her friend gave her a leg up by referring some of her own clients to her.
After struggling to find clients, her friend gave her a leg up by referring some of her own clients to her.

Similar phrases to “Give someone a leg up”:

Lend a helping hand

To offer assistance or support to someone

Example

She always lends a helping hand to those in need.

Give someone a boost

To provide assistance or support to someone to help them succeed or make progress

Example

He gave me a boost by promoting my work to his network.

Open doors for someone

To create opportunities or provide access to resources for someone

Example

She opened doors for me by introducing me to key people in the industry.

Good things to know:

Where does the phrase “Give someone a leg up” come from?

The origin of the phrase "Give someone a leg up" is unknown.

Is “Give someone a leg up” common in everyday conversation?

Yes, "Give someone a leg up" is a commonly used idiom in everyday conversation. People often use it to describe providing assistance or support to someone in order to help them succeed or make progress.

What tone does “Give someone a leg up” have?

"Give someone a leg up" conveys a tone of support and generosity. It's often used in a positive context to highlight the willingness to help others and contribute to their success.

Can “Give someone a leg up” be used in informal and formal settings?

Yes, "Give someone a leg up" can be used in both informal and formal settings. It's a versatile expression that conveys the idea of providing assistance or support to someone. You can use it in everyday conversations with friends, family, and colleagues, as well as in more formal situations such as professional networking events, interviews, or business meetings.

Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?

It's commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'He gave me a leg up by recommending me for the job.' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'I'll give you a leg up!' to imply offering assistance or support.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

help someone out
support someone
assist someone
give someone a helping hand
back someone up

Antonyms

hold someone back
sabotage someone
undermine someone
discourage someone
block someone's progress