give somebody a leg-up

give (one) a leg up

1. To provide one with a physical lift or boost upward. I think I can reach the roof if you give me a leg up. A: "How am I going to put the star on top of the Christmas tree? I can't find the stool." B: "That's OK, I'll give you a leg up." Can you give me a leg up, so I can reach the dishes on the top shelf?

2. To provide one with support, encouragement, or an added advantage. Our after-school program is aimed to give students a leg up in any subject they are having difficulty with. I wouldn't have been able to afford college if I hadn't been given a leg up from my parents. A: "Nobody gave me a leg up!" B: "Are you kidding me? You had inside knowledge of the company before you interviewed for the job!"

See also: give, leg, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

give somebody a ˈleg-up

1 (British English, informal) help somebody climb up or onto something, for example, a horse or a wall: I gave him a leg-up.
2 (informal) help somebody, usually by giving them money: His father gave him a leg-up when he was starting his business.

See also: give, somebody

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017