Phrase guide

leg up

noun · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Canada: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The act of assisting another's progress over a wall or other obstacle by forming a step for one of their feet with one's hands.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bunk-up, leg

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A boost, a sudden improvement; an advantage, an edge.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: step back

3

noun

Meaning 3

Assistance, help given to get started or overcome a problem or obstacle.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To walk a horse on a hard surface regularly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Topics: equestrianism, hobbies, horses, lifestyle, pets, sports

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

4 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: punttaus — forming a step with one's hands
  • French: courte échelle — forming a step with one's hands
  • German: Räuberleiter — forming a step with one's hands
  • Portuguese: pezinho — forming a step with one's hands