You've probably felt that itch. That specific, slightly desperate need to find a way—any way—to move a little faster than the person standing next to you. Maybe it's a promotion. Maybe it's just trying to get your kid into the "good" preschool. We call this trying to get a leg up, and honestly, it’s one of those idioms that we use so often we forget how weird it actually sounds.
It’s about leverage. Plain and simple.
When you strip away the office jargon and the self-help fluff, the meaning of get a leg up is essentially about obtaining an advantage that makes a difficult task suddenly feel manageable. It isn't just about winning; it’s about the specific moment where you find a boost that others don’t have.
Where the heck did this phrase come from?
Most people assume it’s about wrestling or maybe track and field. You’re close, but not quite. The most literal origin of the phrase comes from the world of horse riding. Imagine trying to climb onto a massive, breathing beast of a horse without a mounting block. You’re standing there in your boots, looking up at the saddle, and it feels like a mountain.
Then, a friend interlocks their fingers, creates a stirrup with their hands, and tells you to "give 'em a leg up."
By placing your knee or foot into their hands, they heave you upward. You gain the height you couldn't achieve on your own. It’s a physical manifestation of assistance. In the 1800s, this was just daily life. Over time, the phrase migrated from the stables into the broader English lexicon. By the early 20th century, people were using it to describe financial boosts, social connections, or any leg of a race where one person had a distinct head start.
The meaning of get a leg up in the 21st century
Today, the stakes are different. We aren't mounting horses much, but we are mounting massive amounts of student debt or trying to climb a corporate ladder that feels increasingly slippery.
💡 You might also like: Easy recipes dinner for two: Why you are probably overcomplicating date night
In a modern context, getting a leg up usually refers to:
- Social Capital: Knowing the right person who can put your resume at the top of the pile.
- Information Asymmetry: Having data or "insider" knowledge before the rest of the market catches on.
- Early Adoption: Getting onto a new platform (like TikTok in 2018 or AI tools in 2023) before the saturation point.
- Financial Buffers: Having the "bank of mom and dad" or a side hustle that allows you to take risks others can't afford.
It’s often a mix of luck and preparation. You have to be standing by the horse to get the boost, right?
Is it actually "unfair" to get a leg up?
This is where things get sticky. There is a fine line between a "leg up" and an "unfair advantage." In many cultures, especially those valuing meritocracy, we tend to look sideways at people who didn't "earn" their spot. But here’s a reality check: nobody gets to the top entirely alone.
Etymologists and sociologists often point out that "pulling yourself up by your bootstraps" is actually a physical impossibility. Try it. Reach down, grab your boots, and pull. You won't move. You’ll just fall over. The phrase was originally a joke about how impossible it is to succeed without help.
Getting a leg up is the logical antidote to the bootstrap myth.
The nuance of privilege
We have to talk about privilege here, even if it’s uncomfortable. If you have a stable internet connection, a quiet place to work, or a mentor who answers your texts, you’ve already got a leg up. It’s not something to be ashamed of; it’s a tool to be used. The nuance lies in what you do once you’re in the saddle. Do you reach down and help the next person up? Or do you ride away and pretend you jumped up there yourself?
📖 Related: How is gum made? The sticky truth about what you are actually chewing
Real-world examples of the "Boost" in action
Let's look at some specific scenarios where this plays out.
In the tech world, think about "Incubators" like Y Combinator. Startups that get accepted aren't necessarily ten times better than the ones that don't. However, they get a massive leg up through immediate access to venture capitalists and a network of seasoned founders. That "leg up" can be the difference between a billion-dollar IPO and a forgotten folder on a hard drive.
In sports, it’s often about access. A young tennis player whose parents can afford private coaching from age five has a leg up that a kid playing against a brick wall in a public park simply doesn't.
Even in gaming, the term has a literal and figurative presence. "Power-leveling" is basically paying or asking a high-level friend to give you a leg up so you can bypass the boring early stages of a game.
How to actually get a leg up (without being a jerk)
If you're looking to improve your situation, you shouldn't wait for someone to offer a hand. You have to position yourself.
First, stop trying to do everything solo. It’s a pride trap. Seeking a mentor isn't a sign of weakness; it’s a strategic move to get a leg up in your industry. Most successful people actually want to share their knowledge, but they won't go looking for you. You have to ask.
👉 See also: Curtain Bangs on Fine Hair: Why Yours Probably Look Flat and How to Fix It
Second, embrace "The 10% Rule." Spend 10% of your time learning a skill that is just slightly outside your current job description. If you’re a writer, learn basic data analysis. If you’re a coder, learn public speaking. This creates a "skill stack" that gives you an edge over specialists who are too narrowly focused.
Third, stay curious about the "how." Don't just look at who is winning; look at what specific advantage they had. Did they have a specific software? A specific morning routine? A specific contact? Identifying the source of their leg up allows you to replicate it or find your own version.
The psychological impact of the advantage
There’s a weird mental shift that happens when you realize you have an advantage.
Psychologists often discuss "Success Amnesia." Once people reach a certain level of success, they tend to forget the leg up they received. They start to believe their success was 100% due to their own grit. This is dangerous because it leads to burnout and a lack of empathy.
Acknowledging the meaning of get a leg up in your own life actually makes you more resilient. When you know which parts of your success were "boosted," you can better protect those assets. You can also stay humble enough to keep learning.
Actionable Next Steps to Secure Your Advantage
If you want to move forward today, don't just wait for a lucky break. You can actively engineer a leg up by following these steps:
- Audit your network for "Gap Fillers": Identify three people in your circle who possess a skill or connection you lack. Reach out to them this week, not to ask for a favor, but to learn how they navigate their specific niche.
- Identify "Low-Hanging" Tools: In almost every field, there is a piece of software or a methodology that 90% of people are too lazy to learn. Whether it's advanced Excel macros, AI prompting, or a specific CRM, mastering the tool others ignore is the fastest way to get a leg up.
- Document your "Wins" in Real-Time: Most people wait until they are looking for a new job to update their resume. Keep a "Success Log." Having a ready-to-go list of metrics and achievements gives you an immediate leg up during unexpected performance reviews or networking opportunities.
- Practice the "Ask": The biggest barrier to getting a leg up is often the fear of appearing incompetent. Reframe the request. Instead of asking for "help," ask for "perspective" or a "brief steer." It’s a lower-friction way to get the boost you need without the social awkwardness.
Focus on building a foundation where you are both the person receiving the help and, eventually, the person strong enough to provide it. Success is rarely a solo climb; it's a series of lifts.