legs up

USAGE SUMMARY

"legs up" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used figuratively to refer to something that is easy to do, or when one gives up their efforts. For example, "After working hard on the project, he threw his hands in the air and put his legs up."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Legs - pull your legs up to your butt, with your hand and keep for 15 seconds.

WikiHow

"Think about getting your legs up under you.

The New York Times - Sports

Just legs up a tree, everything else gone.

The Guardian - Travel

The defender fell, legs up, and brought Ronaldo down.

The Guardian - Sport

She lifted one of her long legs up and down outside the covers.

The New Yorker

I held one silk with each hand and kicked my legs up and over my head.

The New York Times - Arts

"What?" "Well, it's just …" She pulls both soft cotton pant legs up to her thighs.

The New York Times

"I had my legs up on the seat," Mr. LaMont said.

The New York Times

She lay back and swung her legs up in the air again.

The New Yorker

Even getting my legs up on the couch!

Huffington Post

I put my legs up on the coffee table.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "legs up" when describing a physical action, such as in exercises, yoga poses, or casual positions. Be clear about the purpose and context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "legs up" in formal writing where more precise anatomical or medical terminology is required. Ensure the context makes it clear if it's a casual posture, exercise instruction, or something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "legs up" primarily functions as a descriptive term, often used to indicate a specific position or action involving the legs. Ludwig confirms its usability. Examples show its use in exercise instructions and casual descriptions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

51%

News & Media

47%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "legs up" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, as verified by Ludwig. It mainly functions to describe a position or action, often in informal contexts like exercise instructions or casual posture descriptions. While common in wikis and news articles, more formal settings might require precise anatomical or medical terms. Alternatives like "raise legs" or "elevate legs" can be used depending on the desired level of formality and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lift legs

A more general term for raising the legs, suitable for various contexts.

raise legs

Focuses on the action of lifting the legs, simplifying the phrase.

bring legs up

Focuses on the action of moving the legs into a higher position, often towards the body.

elevate legs

Implies lifting the legs to a higher position, often for medical reasons.

swing legs up

Suggests a more dynamic movement of raising the legs.

put feet up

Indicates relaxing with the feet elevated, a specific use of "legs up".

position legs upwards

Emphasizes the arrangement of the legs in an upward direction.

extend legs upward

Describes the action of stretching the legs in an upward direction.

suspend legs

Suggests the legs are hanging or being held in an elevated position.

incline legs

Implies tilting the legs upwards, often at an angle.

FAQs

How can I use "legs up" in a sentence?

You can use "legs up" to describe a position or action, such as "She put her "feet up" on the couch to relax" or "The yoga pose requires you to bring your "legs up" against the wall".

What's a good alternative to "legs up"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "raise legs", "elevate legs", or "lift legs".

Is it correct to say "legs up" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "legs up" is generally considered informal. In formal contexts, it's better to use more precise and descriptive language like "elevate the legs" or "raise the lower extremities".

What does it mean to put your feet up?

Putting your "feet up", closely related to "legs up", typically means to relax by resting your feet on an elevated surface. This can help with circulation and reduce swelling.