a decisive leg-up

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a decisive leg-up" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a significant advantage or boost in a competitive situation. Example: "Winning the regional competition gave her a decisive leg-up in her pursuit of a scholarship."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Mourinho received a decisive leg-up.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Indeed, Kennedy turned decisive after Justice Alito asked Garre why, all else being equal, black or Hispanic students from privileged backgrounds "deserve a leg-up against, let's say, an Asian or a white applicant whose parents are absolutely average in terms of education and income".

Huffington Post

Discover Weekly is giving artists a leg-up too.

TechCrunch

All in all, a decisive thumbs-up.

The Guardian

Then in the final, they repeated the dosis on Cobreloa winning a decisive second leg match 1 0 in Santiago.

Wikipedia

A leg up, a friend joked, if not a leg over.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A Culinary Leg Up FEB.

The New York Times

That gives it a huge leg up, obviously.

TechCrunch

"You have a leg up if you are a trader".

The New York Times - Tech

The turning point came in the sixth set when Taylor, trailing 3-2, won the decisive leg despite taking 8 darts to hit a double.

BBC

Galatasaray won the first leg with 3 0 at the Ernst-Happel-Stadion, and earned their spot in the first group stage following a 1 0 win at their home arena, Ali Sami Yen Stadium in the decisive leg.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a decisive leg-up" when you want to emphasize that the advantage is significant and clearly contributes to a better outcome. It implies a clear turning point or a considerable boost.

Common error

Avoid using "a decisive leg-up" in very casual or informal settings where simpler language would be more appropriate. Alternatives such as "a boost" or "an advantage" may be better suited.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a decisive leg-up" functions as a noun phrase, where "decisive" modifies "leg-up", indicating a significant or crucial advantage. Examples from Ludwig show its use in describing benefits in competitive scenarios.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a decisive leg-up" is a commonly used phrase that denotes a significant and impactful advantage. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts, primarily in News & Media and Science. While it is appropriate for formal writing, it's important to avoid overuse in very informal settings. Alternatives such as "a significant advantage" or "a crucial boost" can be considered for less formal situations. The phrase emphasizes the importance of an advantage that provides a clear boost, making it a valuable addition to one's vocabulary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant advantage

Focuses on the importance of the advantage gained.

a crucial boost

Highlights the vital and impactful nature of the assistance.

a considerable edge

Emphasizes that the advantage is large and noticeable.

a notable head start

Implies an early advantage in a competitive situation.

a game-changing benefit

Highlights how the advantage dramatically alters the outcome.

a substantial aid

Focuses on the significant help or support provided.

a tactical advantage

Emphasizes strategic nature of the benefit gained.

a step up

Short and simple way to express advancement or improvement.

a favorable position

Refers to a beneficial or advantageous situation.

an upper hand

Suggests a dominant position over others.

FAQs

How can I use "a decisive leg-up" in a sentence?

You can use "a decisive leg-up" to describe a significant advantage or boost. For example: "Winning the contract gave the company "a decisive leg-up" over its competitors."

What are some alternatives to "a decisive leg-up"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant advantage", "a crucial boost", or "a considerable edge" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "a decisive leg-up" in formal writing?

Yes, "a decisive leg-up" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when emphasizing a substantial benefit or advantage.

What does "a decisive leg-up" imply?

The phrase "a decisive leg-up" implies that the advantage is significant enough to make a notable difference in the outcome. It suggests a clear boost that greatly improves one's position.