IdiomAnimals
English
Englishgive someone a leg up
Meaning: To help someone make progress or get started.
Example: “An internship gave her a leg up in the film industry.”
Origin: Literally to help a rider mount a horse by lifting their leg. The figurative sense is recorded from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
French: Mettre le pied à l'étrier à quelqu'un Literally: To put someone's foot in the stirrup
More English idioms
- born with a silver spoon in one's mouth Born into a wealthy, privileged family.
- meet someone halfway To make a compromise with someone.
- have a free hand To have freedom to act as one sees fit.
- wear sackcloth and ashes To show public regret or repentance.
- take a load off someone's mind To relieve someone of a worry.
- a bottomless pit Something that uses up endless money or effort; also a person who is always hungry.
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