Idioms containing LEG
TOP words in categories
BREAK A LEG
to wish someone good luck
1. Before the play, everyone told the actors to break a leg.
2. Haven’t I told you that I'm going to quit smoking? -Oh, wow, break a leg!
2. Haven’t I told you that I'm going to quit smoking? -Oh, wow, break a leg!
COST (SOMEONE) A MINT/ AN ARM AND A LEG
to cost a great deal of money
1. I really wanted that painting, but it cost a mint , so I decided not to buy it
2. Sending my son to that college will cost me an arm and a leg, but it will be worth it.
2. Sending my son to that college will cost me an arm and a leg, but it will be worth it.
GET A LEG UP
to make a good start on some activity or project
1. It took a long time, but you’ve finally got a leg up on your college degree. It shouldn’t take you much longer to finish.
2. I’m going to get a leg up on next year’s budget by planning several months in advance.
2. I’m going to get a leg up on next year’s budget by planning several months in advance.
NOT HAVE A LEG TO STAND ON
to be in an indefensible situation or to have no support for an argument or case
1. Some of the workers accused Louis of stealing from the company, but they didn’t have a leg to stand on He had never stolen from the company and they had no proof that he had.
2. Stop trying to persuade me that you didn’t start the fight. You don’t have a leg to stand on All the children saw the whole thing, and they told me exactly how it happened.
2. Stop trying to persuade me that you didn’t start the fight. You don’t have a leg to stand on All the children saw the whole thing, and they told me exactly how it happened.
ON (ONE'S) LAST LEGS
about to die, fail, or collapse
1. This car is practically worthless. It’s in the repair shop more than it’s on the road. I think it’s on its last legs.
2. The company is selling its assets and is about to declare bankruptcy. It’s on its last legs
2. The company is selling its assets and is about to declare bankruptcy. It’s on its last legs
PULL SOMEONE'S LEG
to tease, fool, or trick someone in a friendly way
1. You can’t believe what John says half the time. I’ll bet he was just teasing you. He was just pulling your leg.
2. Stop pulling my leg ! I want you to tell me the truth.
2. Stop pulling my leg ! I want you to tell me the truth.
SHAKE A LEG
to hurry
1. Come on, Sam, we don’t have all day. Hurry up! Shake a leg!
2. I asked you ten minutes ago to stop playing and clean up this mess. We have to go in five minutes. You kids had better shake a leg.
2. I asked you ten minutes ago to stop playing and clean up this mess. We have to go in five minutes. You kids had better shake a leg.
STRETCH ONE'S LEGS
to go for a walk, especially after sitting in the same position for a long time
1. The car journey took three hours, including a couple of stops to stretch our legs.
2. I offered to give David a lift but he said he'd rather stretch his legs.
2. I offered to give David a lift but he said he'd rather stretch his legs.
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