leg up on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "leg up on" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate having an advantage or a head start over someone else in a particular situation. Example: "Having previous experience in the industry gives her a leg up on the competition during the job application process."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

I had a leg up on that one.

Huffington Post

(Well, Hamilton aficionados will have a leg up on that one).

Huffington Post

Then she stuck one leg up on the table.

Huffington Post

This is still probably the one spot where Samsung really has a leg up on Apple.

TechCrunch

You may have a leg up on everyone else.

Independent

Madonna stuck her leg up on the table.

The Guardian - Music

But Mr. Link has a leg up on many.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Line stamps also have a big leg-up on emojis from another standpoint: commercialisation.

Independent

Obama also has a leg-up on a broad array of issues.

Huffington Post

Did senior legislators get a leg up on fundraising?

Huffington Post

Businesses with a persistent leg up on rivals tend to be the best long-term investments.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "leg up on" to clearly and concisely communicate the idea of having an advantage, especially in competitive scenarios. For example, "Having strong coding skills gives you a "leg up on" other job applicants".

Common error

Avoid overstating the significance of the "leg up". While it implies an advantage, it doesn't guarantee success. It's just one factor among many.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "leg up on" functions as an idiomatic expression that denotes an advantage or a superior position compared to others. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "leg up on" is a common idiom used to describe having an advantage or head start over someone else. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. While versatile, opting for more formal alternatives like "competitive advantage" might be preferable in highly academic or scientific writing. Remember that while a "leg up on" provides an advantage, it doesn't guarantee success; it is only one contributing factor.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advantage over

This alternative is a more direct and less idiomatic way of expressing the same concept.

edge over

This alternative is similar to "advantage", but suggests a more subtle or narrow lead.

head start

This alternative focuses on the temporal aspect of having an earlier beginning.

upper hand

This alternative emphasizes control and dominance in a situation.

competitive advantage

This alternative is more formal and business-oriented, highlighting a strategic edge.

benefit from

This alternative is more general, indicating a positive outcome due to a specific factor.

inside track

This alternative suggests having privileged access or information.

jump start

This alternative emphasizes the initial boost or momentum gained.

one-upmanship

This alternative focuses on the act of trying to outdo someone else, often in a playful or competitive way.

trump card

This alternative refers to a decisive advantage that can secure victory.

FAQs

What does "leg up on" mean?

The idiom "leg up on" means having an advantage over someone else. It implies a head start or a beneficial position in a competitive situation.

How can I use "leg up on" in a sentence?

You can use "leg up on" to describe how someone or something has an advantage. For instance, "Her experience gave her a "leg up on" the other candidates."

What are some alternatives to "leg up on"?

Alternatives to "leg up on" include "advantage over", "edge over", or "head start", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "leg up on" in formal writing?

While "leg up on" is widely understood, it might be more appropriate to use a more formal alternative like "competitive advantage" in strictly formal contexts.