lean (redirected from leaner)

*lean times (ahead)

Fig. a future period of lowered income or revenue; a future period when there will be shortages of goods and suffering. (*Typically: be ~; cause ~; have ~; mean ~.) The economy is going sour which means lean times ahead.

See also: times

bend over backwards (to do something) (for someone)

Fig. to work very hard to accomplish something for someone; to go out of one's way (to do something) (for someone). He will bend over backwards to help you. I bent over backwards for you, and you showed no thanks!

See also: backward, bend

fall over backwards (to do something) and bend over backwards (to do something); lean over backwards (to do something)

Fig. to do everything possible to please someone. The taxi driver fell over backwards to be helpful. The teacher bent over backwards to help the students understand. You don't have to lean over backwards to get me to help. Just ask.

See also: backward, fall

lean something against someone or something

to prop something against someone or something. She leaned her spade against the house and wiped the sweat from her brow. Bill leaned the mirror against his leg while he screwed the hook into the wall.

See also: against

lean something forward

to tilt or bend something forward. Lean the board forward a little bit, please. Someone leaned this panel forward a little too much.

See also: forward

lean across someone or something

to incline oneself across someone or something. She leaned across me to reach the telephone and spilled my wine. Laura leaned across the table and knocked my coffee over.

See also: across

lean against someone or something

to prop oneself against someone or something. The child leaned against her sister to keep warm. I leaned against the back of the chair and went right to sleep.

See also: against

lean and mean

Fig. fit and ready for hard, efficient work. Dave got himself lean and mean and is ready to play in Saturday's game. The management is lean and mean and looks to turn a profit next year.

See also: and, mean

lean back

[for someone] to recline backwards, usually in a chair. Lean back and make yourself comfortable. Let's lean back and be comfortable.

See also: back

lean back (on someone or something)

to recline backwards, pressing on someone or something. Don't lean back on me! I'm not a chair! Lean back on the couch and tell me what you are thinking.

See also: back

lean back (on someone or something)

to recline backwards, pressing on someone or something. Don't lean back on me! I'm not a chair! Lean back on the couch and tell me what you are thinking.

See also: back

lean down

to bend over. Lean down and tie your shoe before you trip. He leaned down and picked something up from the floor.

lean forward

to bend forward. Lean forward a minute so I can put a cushion behind your back. When Betsy leaned forward, she lost her balance and fell.

See also: forward

lean in (to something)

to incline or press into something. You have to lean into the wind when you walk or you will be blown over. As you walk into the wind, lean in a little bit. The north wall of the barn leans in a little. Is it going to fall?

lean on someone or something 

1. Lit. to incline or press on someone or something. Don't lean on me. I'm not strong enough to support both of us. Lean on the wall and rest a little while.

2. Fig. to depend on someone or something. You lean on your parents too much. You must be more independent. You can't lean on the government forever.

lean on someone

Fig. to try to make someone do something; to coerce someone to do something. (From lean on someone or something.) If she refuses to do it, lean on her a bit. Don't lean on me! I don't have to do it if I don't want to.

lean out of something

to hang or bend out of something or some place. She leaned out of the window so she could watch what was going on. Don't lean out of the car window. You will fall.

See also: out

lean over 

1. to bend over. Lean over and pick the pencil up yourself! I'm not your servant! As Kelly leaned over to tie her shoes, her chair slipped out from under her.

2. to tilt over. The fence leaned over and almost fell. As the wind blew, the tree leaned over farther and farther.

lean toward someone or something 

1. to incline toward someone or something. Tom is leaning toward Randy. I think he is going to fall on him. The tree is leaning toward the edge of the cliff. It will fall eventually.

2. to tend to favor [choosing] someone or something. lam leaning toward Sarah as the new committee head. I'm leaning toward a new committee.

See also: toward

lean toward doing something

to tend toward doing something; to favor doing something. The union is leaning toward accepting the proposal. My friends leaned toward swimming instead of shopping.

See also: doing, toward

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bend/lean over backwards to do something   (British, American & Australian) also fall over backwards to do something (Australian)

to try very hard to do something, especially to help or please someone else Banks are bending over backwards to help those in difficulties.

See know backwards

See also: backward, bend

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bend over backwards

to try very hard lean over backwards We want your business and will bend over backwards to keep it.

Usage notes: usually used to describe efforts to help or please someone

Related vocabulary: fall all over yourself (to do something)

See also: backward, bend

lean on somebody/something

1. to depend on someone or something The children leaned on each other for help and comfort. Verplank leaned on his experience as a waiter to figure out how to behave when he met the prince.

2. to put pressure on someone or something to get what you want The Spanish teacher had to lean on the school principal to get new textbooks for the class.

lean over backwards

to try very hard bend over backwards She and her staff will lean over backwards to see that you are satisfied with their services.

Usage notes: usually used to describe efforts to help or please someone

Related vocabulary: fall all over yourself (to do something)

See also: backward