leg-up
Help getting started
A leg-up is assistance or an advantage that helps someone get ahead.
The image comes from boosting someone over a wall or onto a horse by cupping your hands under their foot: Can you give me a leg-up?
The figurative sense dominates: Her internship gave her a leg-up in the job market.
Assistance given
- handGrasping body part
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- aidSupport given freely
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
assist · backing · mentorship · guidance · sponsorship · patronage · endorsement · facilitation
Initial competitive advantage
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- boostUpward push or increase
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- opportunityFavorable circumstance for advancement
benefit · break · favor · inside track · jumpstart · stepping stone · foothold · springboard
help
Assistance given
lift · assist · backing · mentorship · guidance · sponsorship · patronage · endorsement · facilitation · boost
headstart
Initial competitive advantage
opportunity · benefit · break · favor · inside track · jumpstart · stepping stone · foothold · springboard · preferential
hoist
Raise with tackle
mounting block · saddle · horseback · climbing · scrambling · vault · clamber · foothold · handhold · ladder
leg-upobstacle
Something blocking the way
hindrance · impediment · setback · barrier · stumbling block
leg-updisadvantage
Unfavorable circumstance or condition
handicap · liability · burden · drawback · shortcoming