lend (one) (something)
To allow one to borrow or make use of something temporarily. I can lend you $20, but I'll need it back by this weekend. Would you mind lending me a pencil? I forgot to bring one.
lend (one) a hand
To help one; to give one assistance. If you lend me a hand, I can get this done much faster. Lend your mother a hand in the kitchen, will you?
lend (one's) ear (to someone or something)
To listen carefully or pay close attention (to someone or something). Be sure to lend your ear during the presentation. I know we're supposed to lend our ear's to the safety presentation before each flight, but I've seen it so many times that I just tune it out now.
lend (one's) name to (something)
To give one's formal and public support to something; to allow oneself or one's name to be associated with something. Now that we've got a big movie star lending his name to our campaign, we're finally starting to get the traction we've wanted.
lend (oneself) to (something)
To give one's talent, skills, or effort to assist in some task, project, endeavor, etc. The famous actor is lending herself to the charity drive, promising to match the total amount donated dollar for dollar. I've lent myself to a new TV show as a writing consultant.
lend (something) out (to one)
To allow someone to borrow or make use of something temporarily. Normally not used in reference to money. Some linguists, especially in British English, believe that "lend" should only be used as a noun, while the correct verb is only "lend." I can't come pick you up tonight—I lent the car out to your brother. I stopped lending my books out to friends because I never get them back.
lend a hand
To help. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a." If you can lend a hand, we could use some more help in the kitchen. Lend your mother a hand in the kitchen, will you?
lend a hand with (something)
To help or give assistance to someone with something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a hand." Tom and his wife said they could lend a hand with the move tomorrow. Would you mind lending me a hand with this dresser unit? It's too heavy to lift alone.
lend a helping hand
To give one's assistance (to someone) in order to deal with or overcome some difficult task or situation. A noun or pronoun can be used between "lend" and "a" to specify whom one is helping. Shania is just one of the most generous people I've ever met, always ready to lend a helping hand whenever someone needs it. OK, now that your work is done, I want you to lend the marketing team a helping hand to get this advertising campaign ready in time for our launch. Our customers are always our highest priority, so whenever they're facing financial difficulties, we're more than happy to lend them a helping hand.
lend an ear (to one)
To listen to one, especially when they are discussing a problem. Sorry I'm late, I had to lend an ear to Jane. She's been going through a lot lately. Thank you for lending an ear, I feel much better now that I've gotten that off my chest. Please lend an ear to Ian, who will be giving us an update about the last quarter.
lend color to (something)
To embellish or add information or details to an account of something, especially to make it seem more credible or probable. He splashed mud all over his car and clothes to lend color to his story about being in the mountains all weekend. We cannot do anything that will lend color to our opponents' allegations about us.
lend credence to (something)
To make something seem more credible or probable, perhaps by providing additional information or details. He splashed mud all over his car and clothes to lend credence to his story about being in the mountains all weekend. We cannot do anything that will lend credence to our opponents' allegations about us.
lend itself to (something)
To be suited for something, especially some kind of purpose or use. This fabric really lends itself to evening wear. The chefs are always looking for versatile ingredients that lend themselves to many dishes.
lend support to (something)
1. To add information or details to something, especially to make it seem more credible or probable. Do you have any evidence that lends support to your assertion? We cannot do anything that will lend support to our opponents' allegations about us.
2. To provide assistance or approval to something. The president is lending support to the governor's re-election campaign. Your department will have responsibility, but the sales team will lend support to the project if needed.
lend weight to (something)
To make something seem more credible or probable, perhaps by providing additional information or details. Do you have any evidence that lends weight to your assertion? We cannot do anything that will lend weight to our opponents' allegations about us.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.