"A Leg Up" Idiom Meaning, Origin & History | Superduper English Idioms
Channel: Superduper English Idioms
Date: 26/01/2021

0:00 - How to Say, “A leg up…”
0:18 - Examples of “A leg up…”
1:10 - Meaning of “A leg up…”
1:27 - Origin of “A leg up…”
2:54 - More Examples of “A leg up…”
3:46 - Conclusion

“A leg up…”

When you hear that someone has “a leg up”, it means that they have an advantage, an edge, the upper hand over their competition.

“Children born into rich families have a leg up over their peers, which is why post-secondary education needs to be free,” the leader of a human rights group might be giving a speech.

Maybe you’re at a company meeting, “The success of our last product has given us a leg up over the competition, but we can’t rest on our laurels.”

“Knowing a second language gives you a leg up over others applying for the same job,” your friend who knows three languages tells you.

As you can see, “a leg up” is superiority, leverage, dominance over others and you may have a leg up due to experience, practice or help.

Apparently, the idiom, “a leg up” comes from equestrian activities; a horse rider might need a leg up over a steed if there is no saddle…

… another person cups their hands together, giving a rider a step up high and enabling them to throw their other leg over the horse.

In life, you may have “a leg up” over others because you were born in a well-to-do, rich or wealthy family…

… or perhaps your parents run a successful business, trade, craft in which they train you, give you experience, show you the secrets and eventually hand down to you.

If you weren’t born with “a leg up”, however, don’t let it discourage you because you can get a leg up for yourself through hard work, dedication, practice and a positive attitude.

“She has a leg up over other golfers because of countless hours of practice,” your mother might be telling a friend while watching you golf.

Perhaps your dad is giving you advice, “Going to work with a smile on your face and a positive attitude is a big leg up on your co-workers.”

“Growing up in the countryside gives children a sort of leg up over children who grew up in the city and thus don’t have the same experiences with nature,” an educator might be giving a talk.

So, the next time you see someone with an edge, advantage, superiority or admirable competence, don’t forget it’s because they have “a leg up”.

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