borrow power

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "borrow power" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one entity temporarily takes or utilizes the power or authority of another, often in discussions about politics, economics, or technology. Example: "In order to implement the new policy effectively, we may need to borrow power from the existing leadership structure."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

For example, people borrow power tools, have haircuts ("I'm surprised how many people are getting their haircut through it, actually," says Saoirse. "I wouldn't have thought a haircut would have been the first thing you'd have looked for"), or get help on their allotments.

The Guardian

The MTC approach aims to borrow power from other studies that use comparable interventions in their study arms, regardless of whether the data from all treatment arms can be utilized.

Clinical Epidemiology

It includes L 2 norm penalization from ridge regression to shrink coefficients of correlated features towards each other by allowing them to borrow power from each other [24], and it also includes L 1 norm penalization from LASSO to guarantee the sparsity.

Chinese Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

As for borrowing power, governments are disciplined by an intense global competition for funds.

Harvard Business Review

Homer analogously draws poetic power from his Muse and attracts a rhapsode by means of borrowed power.

SEP

With Berg's properties throwing off an estimated $35 million in cash every year, and having lots of borrowing power, Mission enables Berg to operate on a larger scale.

Forbes

Not if the result is an eventual loss of borrowing power by one of the few agencies capable of lending effective aid to the less-developed world.

Forbes

The document also includes commitments to: Give the Green Investment Bank, established by the coalition in 2012, borrowing powers.

The Guardian

Another contested "uncosted" claim was the idea that giving the Green Investment Bank more borrowing powers would cost £3.7bn.

The Guardian

Borrowing powers also came under FSB Wales scrutiny.

BBC

Borrowing powers for the Welsh Government for the first time?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "borrow power", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and nature of the power being transferred or utilized. Specify from whom or what the power is being borrowed, and for what purpose.

Common error

Avoid using "borrow power" in contexts where the source of the power is ambiguous or undefined. Always clarify where the power originates to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "borrow power" primarily functions as a verb phrase where "borrow" acts as a verb and "power" as its direct object. It describes the act of temporarily utilizing or leveraging power from another entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

67%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "borrow power" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of temporarily utilizing authority or influence from an external source. Ludwig AI validates its usability, although its frequency is relatively rare. It appears in both news and scientific contexts, suggesting a neutral register suitable for discussing strategic actions. When using this phrase, ensure the source and purpose of the borrowed power are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "leverage authority" or "draw on influence" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

leverage authority

Focuses on utilizing existing authority for a specific purpose.

draw on influence

Emphasizes using existing influence to achieve an outcome.

capitalize on leverage

Focuses on turning leverage into an advantage.

tap into resources

Highlights the utilization of available resources, which could include power.

harness strength

Focuses on channeling inherent strength for a particular goal.

exploit potential

Suggests maximizing the use of existing potential or ability.

utilize capacity

Emphasizes making use of available capacity or capabilities.

derive strength from

Focuses on obtaining strength or resilience from an external source.

gain momentum from

Highlights acquiring forward movement by associating with another entity.

benefit from association

Emphasizes the positive outcomes derived from associating with a powerful entity.

FAQs

How can I use "borrow power" in a sentence?

You can use "borrow power" to describe a situation where an entity temporarily leverages the authority or influence of another. For instance, "In order to push through the legislation, the committee had to borrow power from the executive branch".

What's the difference between "borrow power" and "leverage authority"?

"Borrow power" implies a temporary utilization of someone else's power, whereas "leverage authority" suggests using existing authority to achieve a goal. The first suggests a more transient arrangement.

Are there any synonyms for "borrow power"?

Yes, you can use phrases such as "draw on influence", "tap into resources", or "harness strength" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the term "borrow power" in writing?

It is suitable when discussing political strategies, economic dependencies, or technological advancements where one entity temporarily utilizes the capabilities or authority of another. Ensure the source and purpose are clearly defined.