leaning on
Using for support
Leaning on someone or something means relying on them for support, whether physical or otherwise.
If you lean on a wall, you rest your weight against it; if you lean on a friend during hard times, you depend on them emotionally.
The phrase also has a coercive sense: to lean on someone can mean to pressure or intimidate them into doing what you want.
The detective leaned on the witness until he talked.
- dependRequire for support
- relianceState of needing support
- restingIn a state of stillness
- proppingSupporting with aid
- trustConfidence in another
backing · rely · shoulder to cry on · believing · tilting · confidence · invoking · referencing · crutch · support · adhering · comfort · reclining · stabilizing · anchoring · beseeching · coercing · arm twisting
leaning onstanding upright
standing alone · self-supporting · balancing · upright · erect
leaning onself-reliant
Able to provide independently
independent · going it alone · self-sufficient · autonomous · self-supporting
leaning onbacking off
Ceasing to pursue
letting go · leaving alone · giving space · freeing · hands off