piggybacks

Rides on back

Piggybacks refers to rides on someone's back, with legs wrapped around the waist and arms around the shoulders: He gave his daughter piggybacks around the yard.

The term extends to anything that rides along on something else—a bill that piggybacks on popular legislation, a product that piggybacks on another's success.

As a verb, to piggyback is to attach or ride along: The startup piggybacks on existing infrastructure.

leverage

exploit

Notable act or abuse

utilizePut to practical purpose
capitalizeMake a letter large
rideJourney atop something

coattails · hitchhike · freeload · bandwagon · springboard · bootstrap · opportunism · parasitic · tagalong · mooch

childplay

carry

Move while supporting

shouldersUpper arm joints
hoistRaise with tackle
rideJourney atop something

giggles · fun · laughter · romp · playtime · children · bouncing · games · frolic · chase

transport

carry

Move while supporting

shouldersUpper arm joints
hoistRaise with tackle
mountClimb up or steed

clamber · saddleback · fireman's carry · backpack · haul · lug · tote · portage · schlep · ferrying

dependency

reliance

State of needing support

supportTo uphold or sustain
backingAid or sponsorship
dependenceState of needing another

assistance · aid · reinforcement · bolster · uphold · sustenance · underpin · crutch · lean · carry

Opposites

mode of locomotion/transport

piggybacksgoes it alone

Proceeds without partners

strides · marches · hikes · runs · jogs

ORIGINALITY/INDEPENDENCE (metaphorical sense)

piggybacksoriginates

Starts or arises from

innovates · pioneers · stands alone · leads · invents

physical position/burden

piggybackscarries

Transports while supporting

bears · supports · shoulders · hauls · lugs

Phrases

piggyback rideCarrying someone on shoulders

Family

piggyback, piggybacking, piggybacked

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G