leg up
Help getting ahead
A leg up is assistance or an advantage.
The original image is of helping someone mount a horse by cupping your hands for them to step into: Give me a leg up.
From there it extends to any boost or head start: His father's connections gave him a leg up in the business world.
To have a leg up on someone is to hold an advantage over them.
Beginning advantage given
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- upper handPosition of control
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
- benefitAdvantage or gain
opportunity · inside track · preferential treatment · privilege · competitive edge · running start · vantage · boost
Rank increase or publicity
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- progressMovement toward improvement
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
- opportunityFavorable circumstance for advancement
stepping stone · social climbing · rise · elevation · improvement · betterment · success · professional growth
Assistance given
- handGrasping body part
- boostUpward push or increase
- supportTo uphold or sustain
- backingAid or sponsorship
aid · lift · push · sponsorship · mentorship · endorsement · patronage · facilitation
head start
Beginning advantage given
- edgeBoundary or sharpness
- upper handPosition of control
- leverageBorrowed capital for amplified returns
benefit · opportunity · inside track · preferential treatment · privilege · competitive edge · running start · vantage · boost · advancement
promotion
Rank increase or publicity
- breakthroughSudden important advance
- progressMovement toward improvement
- upward mobilityRising social or economic status
opportunity · stepping stone · social climbing · rise · elevation · improvement · betterment · success · professional growth · networking
help
Assistance given
backing · aid · lift · push · sponsorship · mentorship · endorsement · patronage · facilitation · guidance
hoist
Raise with tackle
- boostUpward push or increase
- liftMechanism for vertical transport
- cupped handsHands curved to contain
stirrup · foothold · mount · saddle · horseback · dismount · vault · scramble · clamber
- assistancehelp, help desk, aid, helpdesk, assistance
- advantagesedge, leverage, upper hand, head start, dominance
- Boostsbuff, upgrade, bonus, boost, energy boost
- favorable conditionsopportunity, advantage, edge, upper hand, head start
- favorsgood turn, good deed, service, courtesy, kindness
- Getting Aheadshortcut, expedite, accelerate, promotion, advancement
leg uphandicap
Imposed competitive disadvantage
disadvantage · setback · hindrance · impediment · obstacle
leg upsabotage
Deliberate disruption of operations
undermining · obstruction · roadblock · opposition · interference
up, leg, legs, ups, legged, leggy, legging, legginess, leggiest