legup中文:用腿支撑,帮助上马,撑顶起来。
Leg 是名词,意思是“腿”,所以 leg up 虽形似短语动词,但实际上不是,而且它虽包含 leg,但实际的意思也跟腿没有直接关系。
Leg up,也作 leg-up, 是一个习语,从字面上理解是别人的推动或帮忙使一个人登上更高的物体、墙或马等,可以意为“用双手托脚帮助(某人上马、翻墙等) ”,例如:
Give me a leg up so I can reach the dishes on the top shelf.
托我一把,这样我就能够碰到最上面架子的盘子了。
I gave her a leg up, and soon she was on her horse.
我助她一臂之力,很快她就骑上了马。
因此它也用来比喻因为某些因素使某人实现某个目标或处于优势地位等,常用于句型:give sb/sth a leg up,例如:
A recent ruling will give terrestrial broadcasters a leg up in competing with satellite radio.
最近的一项裁决将使地面广播公司在与卫星广播的竞争中获得优势。
Completing the summer study program gives pupils a leg up in the following academic year.
完成暑期学习计划可以让学生在下一学年有更大的进步。
Speaking three languages certainly gave Laura a leg up in the interview for the promotion.
劳拉会说三种语言,这无疑使她在升职面试中占了上风。
Leg up 还可以用来比喻在某种情况下处于优势地位,或比别人有优势,常用于句型:have a leg up on,例如:
I knew I had a leg up on my opponent when I saw that he was struggling to counter my opening moves.
当我看到我的对手在努力反击我的开场动作时,我知道我比他强多了。
Because of the advertising campaign, we had a leg up on the competition.
由于广告宣传,我们在比赛中占了上风。