Did you
know?

(to have, to give) a leg-up
idiom

- a position of advantage; an edge

(American Heritage Dictionary)

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To have leg-up is to obtain a competitive advantage, an expression that stems from foot racing where getting a leg-up at the start of a race provides an edge. It can also be used in the sense of getting a head start. In addition to combining leg-up with the verb "to have," among others it can also be used with "get" (He got a leg-up on the competition) and "give" (His experience gives him a leg-up)

Racing has enhanced the English language with a wide range of idioms. Below are several examples.

— jump the gun = to begin something too soon. A runner who begins a race before the official fires his gun is said to "jump the gun." (Don't jump the gun and judge the report before reading it)

— to have the inside track = to have information or a position that provides a competitive advantage. In racing, the inside lane of the track is shorter than the outer lanes. (She has the inside track on the sales manager job)

- from scratch = from the beginning. Before race tracks were built, a line was "scratched" into the ground or dirt to mark the starting point. (I suggest we start the project from scratch to make sure it's done right)

— pass the baton = to continue a task or hand-over responsibility. In relay races, teams carry a so-called baton that must be passed from one runner to the next. (Before he retired, the CEO passed the baton to his son)

— off to a running start = to get a good start on something. (The project got off to a running start)

— in the homestretch = in the final stages of a process or event. In horse racing, the final part of the track between the final turn and the finish line is called the homestretch or sometimes simply "the stretch." (We've been working on the project for nearly one year, but we're in the homestretch now)

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SYNONYMS

advantage, edge, lead, leverage, upper-hand

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SMUGGLE OWAD into today's conversation

"Thanks Jim, your new research data gives my presentation a real leg-up."