Get A Leg Up Idiom American Expressions and American Idioms

This database is a comprehensive collection of all the American idioms and slang available. American Idioms are many and varied. We hope you enjoy our collection. We are adding more all the time. .

Get a leg up What does Get a leg up mean?	To get a boost or advantage.	I could get up a 5:00 am to get a leg up on my competition, but I don't think so. This phrase may incorrectly invoke images of a dog raising its leg. In fact "Getting a leg up" is from the act of an equestrian receiving help in mounting a horse. The helper would create a foothold by cupping the hands to heft the rider upward, throwing a leg up and over the steed.
	Some Random Idioms
Keep your options open What does "Keep your options open" mean?	If someone's keeping their options open, they aren't going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible course of action.

all in What does "all in" mean?	to be tired, to be exhausted	I am all in and will go to bed early tonight.
Those who live by the sword die by the sword What does "Those who live by the sword die by the sword" mean?	This means that violent people will be treated violently themselves.
sound (someone) out What does "sound (someone) out" mean?	to try to find out how a person feels about something by asking him or her questions	The man has been sounding out his wife to see if she wants to move to a new house.
Give your eye teeth What does "Give your eye teeth" mean?	If you really want something and would be prepared to sacrifice a lot to get it, you would give your eye teeth for it.
All your eggs in one basket What does "All your eggs in one basket" mean?	If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything at once, instead of trying to spread the risk. (This is often used as a negative imperative- 'Don't put all your eggs in one basket'. 'Have your eggs in one basket' is also used.)

have had enough What does "have had enough" mean?	have had as much as you need of something	I have had enough sun today so I will go home soon.
get (someone) down What does "get (someone) down" mean?	to make someone unhappy, to cause discouragement	The long commuting time is getting my friend down so she wants to quit her job.
mix and match What does "mix and match" mean?	assemble a limited number of items (often clothing) in a number of different ways	There was a sale at the department store where we could mix and match the various summer outfits.
silly season What does "silly season" mean?	the time of the year (late summer) when there is no important news and news reporters focus on unimportant things	It was the end of summer and the silly season for the news media.
send (someone) to the showers What does "send (someone) to the showers" mean?	to send a player out of the game and off the field/court etc.	The coach decided to send the player to the showers after his poor performance during the game.

American Idioms and Expressions

Get A Leg Up Idiom