lean
(redirected from Lean David)Also found in: Dictionary.
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a lean patch
A period of failure, decline, or poor performance or results. Almost every new business experiences a lean patch at some point or another.
go through a lean patch
To experience or be in the midst of a period of failure, decline, or poor performance or results. Her business has been going through a bit of a lean patch lately. If things don't pick up soon, she might have to close shop. Though the team has gone through a lean patch in recent years, they still have a very devoted fanbase.
have a lean patch
To experience or be in the midst of a period of failure, decline, or poor performance or results. Her business has had a bit of a lean patch lately. if things don't pick up soon, she might have to close shop. Though the team has been having a lean patch in recent years, they still have a very devoted fanbase.
bend over backwards
1. Literally, to lean backwards. I'm so sore after bending over backwards and doing all those weird stretches at yoga this morning.
2. To exert a lot of effort towards some end. This phrase is often used to express frustration when one's efforts go unrecognized. I have been bending over backwards to make sure that you have a wonderful visit, and you don't even care! The entire staff really needs to bend over backwards while the CEO is visiting our office.
lean over backwards
1. Literally, to bend backwards. I'm so sore after leaning over backwards and doing all those weird stretches at yoga this morning.
2. To exert a lot of effort toward some end. This phrase is often used to express frustration when one's efforts go unrecognized. I have been leaning over backwards to make sure that you have a wonderful visit, and you don't even care! The entire staff really needs to lean over backwards while the CEO is visiting our office.
lean on (someone or something)
1. To use someone or something as a physical support. Don't put any pressure on your ankle until we get to the nurse—lean on me instead.
2. To rest something on someone or something else as a physical support. In this usage, a noun or pronoun is used between "lean" and "on." Don't lean anything on that wall while the paint is still wet.
3. To rely or depend on someone or something. I know I can always lean on my mom for emotional support.
4. To pressure someone to do or relinquish something that one wants. I'll get my thugs to lean on him—then he'll pay up!
bend over backwards
(to do something) Go to fall over backwards (to do something).
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!
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.
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: lean
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.
lean back
[for someone] to recline backwards, usually in a chair. Lean back and make yourself comfortable. Let's lean back and be comfortable.
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.
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.
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.
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?
See also: lean
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 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 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.
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 over backwards
(to do something) Go to fall over backwards (to do something).
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: lean
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.
*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.
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.
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.
bend over backwards
Also, lean over backwards. Exert oneself to the fullest extent, as in Dad bent over backwards so as not to embarrass Stasia's new boyfriend. This phrase transfers the gymnastic feat of a backbend to taking a great deal of trouble for someone or something. [c. 1920] Also see under fall all over.
lean on
1. Rely on, depend on, as in He's leaning on me for help. [Mid-1400s]
2. Exert pressure on one, especially to obtain something or make one do something against his or her will. For example, The gangsters were leaning on local storekeepers to pay them protection money. [Colloquial; mid-1900s]
bend over backwards
orbend over backward
COMMON If you bend over backwards or bend over backward, you try very hard to help or please someone, even though it causes you trouble. We bent over backwards to make them feel welcome and they didn't thank us once. Note: You can also say that someone leans over backwards or leans over backward. You've done your duty — you've leaned over backwards. She has nothing to complain about.
rest on your oars
orlean on your oars
BRITISH, OLD-FASHIONEDIf a person or organization rests on their oars or leans on their oars, they do not work hard enough to make sure that they remain successful or get things done. The company has been resting on its oars and its competitors are catching up. Firms often take their time over making necessary changes, leaning on their oars while another study is done and another year goes by.
rest on your oars
1 cease rowing by leaning on the handles of your oars, thereby lifting them horizontally out of the water. 2 relax your efforts.A US variant of this phrase is lay on your oars .
bend/lean over ˈbackwards to do something
try very hard to help or please somebody: I’ve bent over backwards to be nice to her, but she’s pushed me too far now.lean on
v.
1. To rest on or be supported by something: I leaned on the crutch to rest my injured foot.
2. To place something so that it rests on or is supported by some other thing: Don't lean the ladder on the awning—you might damage it.
3. To rely on someone for assistance or support: When I became sick, I leaned on my family for support.
4. Slang To pressure someone to do something: The mobsters leaned on the store owner to sell his business.
lean and mean
mod. capable and ready for hard, efficient work. Ron got himself lean and mean and is ready to play in Saturday’s game.