lean only on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "lean only on" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express the idea of relying solely on someone or something for support or assistance. Example: "In times of crisis, it's important to lean only on those who truly have your best interests at heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

However, I strongly suspect that Skype will lean only on publicly available Windows APIs, providing something of a fire shield.

TechCrunch

While factors one and four appear favorable to educational versions of songs, it has been argued that "Educators … cannot lean only on the idea that what they are doing is for educational purposes; all four factors need to be considered….

CBE Life Sciences Education

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Knight's potential leans not only on continued development, but also on creating more opportunities to attack defenses with his already reliable outside shooting and some of that will come naturally as the Pistons install and refine a more coherent offense around center Greg Monroe.

The New York Times

Singularities were possible but only on "lean" sets.

Bulletin of Mathematical Sciences

A key tenet of Lean is to work only on those things that absolutely must be done and eliminate waste in the form of unnecessary meetings, tasks, and documentation.

Huffington Post

As uncomplicated obese subjects comprise only 20% of the severely obese population and have similar peripheral immunity to lean controls, we focused only on metabolically unhealthy obese subjects in this study.

Plosone

On the GOP side, only four states qualify as "solid Republican," and only one as "lean Republican".

Huffington Post

In the third period Friday, when they needed a go-ahead goal, they leaned on only two lines, and only the Ryan Callahan-Brandon Callahan-Brandon Dubinsky-Artem Dubinsky-Artem Anisimov

The New York Times - Sports

Cheap imported oil became the crutch that everyone leaned on, only now we know it's not cheap anymore.

Huffington Post

We had been on the verge of parting for months, but I suddenly needed someone to lean on, and only a rat dumps a cancer patient.

The New York Times

However, this ideal type does not only lean on hereditary factors but also takes responsibility by using mental preparedness to change habits if necessary.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "lean only on", ensure that the context clarifies why reliance is limited to the specified source. This adds precision and strength to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "lean only on" without providing a clear reason for the exclusive reliance. Simply stating it without context can weaken your argument and raise questions about other potential resources or strategies.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lean only on" functions as a verb phrase indicating reliance or dependence on a specific entity or resource to the exclusion of others. It emphasizes a singular source of support or assistance. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lean only on" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express exclusive reliance on a specific source for support or assistance. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not exceedingly common, its use spans diverse contexts like news, science, and general writing, demonstrating its versatility. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context provides a clear justification for limiting reliance to the specified source, enhancing the clarity and impact of your statement. Related phrases include "rely solely on" and "depend exclusively on".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rely solely on

Emphasizes exclusivity in reliance, similar to focusing entirely on one source.

depend exclusively on

Highlights the complete dependence on a single entity or resource.

count only on

Stresses the importance of relying only on specific things or people with certainty.

turn exclusively to

Indicates a deliberate choice to seek help or support from a single source.

place all reliance on

Highlights the act of depending with trust on something or someone.

put all your eggs in one basket

An idiomatic expression suggesting a full dependence on one thing, which carries an element of risk.

trust only in

Expresses reliance rooted in confidence and belief in one entity or approach.

bank solely on

Suggests a strong reliance on someone or something to achieve a desired outcome.

rest everything on

Implies all hopes and efforts are placed on a single factor or strategy.

confine yourself to

Indicates limiting oneself to one particular source or method.

FAQs

How can I use "lean only on" in a sentence?

You can use "lean only on" to express relying solely on something or someone for support, for example, "During the project, we had to lean only on our internal resources".

What are some alternatives to "lean only on"?

Alternatives include "rely solely on", "depend exclusively on", or "count only on" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "rely only on" or "lean only on"?

Both "lean only on" and "rely only on" are grammatically correct, but the choice depends on the context. "Lean" often implies seeking support, while "rely" suggests dependence for a specific function or outcome.

What does it mean to "lean only on" someone?

To "lean only on" someone means to depend solely on that person for support, assistance, or guidance, often implying a strong need or expectation from that individual.