Leverage
/ˈlɛvərɪdʒ/
nounverbB2
Definition
Leverage is when you use a resource, power, or tool to increase your ability to do something or to get a better result. As a noun, it means the power or advantage you have. As a verb, it means to use that power or resource to help you succeed.
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See It in Action
Noun: Power or advantage gained by using something to achieve a goal
- •The company used its financial leverage to buy smaller competitors.
- •He has leverage in negotiations because of his experience.
- •Using social media gave her leverage to promote her business.
Verb: To use something to gain advantage or improve results
- •They leveraged their network to find new clients.
- •She leveraged her skills to get a better job.
- •The team leveraged technology to increase productivity.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "leverage" like "help," but stronger because it uses something you already have to get more done
- ✓Picture a seesaw or lever in a playground: a small push on one side moves a big weight on the other side
- ✓It's the feeling when you use your knowledge or connections to solve a problem faster
- ✓Sounds like "lever-age" → imagine a lever (a long bar) helping you lift something heavy easily
- ✓Remember the story of Archimedes who said, "Give me a lever and I will move the world" — using a small tool to do big work
- ✓NOT like "force" (which is just strength), leverage uses smart tools or advantages to work better, not just harder
- ✓NOT like "help" (which can be general), leverage means using a specific advantage or tool to get more power or success
- ✓NOT like "push" (direct action), leverage is indirect—it uses something to increase effect without more effort
Try Other Words
- •Use: to put something into action (Use when the action is simple and direct)
- •Exploit: to use something fully to get benefit (Use when the use is strong and sometimes negative)
- •Influence: power to affect decisions or people (Use when talking about social or personal power)
- •Advantage: a condition giving a better chance (Use when focusing on the benefit, not the action of using)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "lever" (a simple machine to lift things) + suffix "-age" (a noun-forming ending meaning related to or result of)
- •Etymology: From Old French "levier," from Latin "levare" meaning "to raise or lift"
- •Historical development: Originally meant the use of a lever tool; later extended to mean using any resource to gain power or success
- •Modern usage: Common in business, finance, and everyday language to talk about using resources or influence to improve results
Reflect & Connect
•How can you use your personal skills as leverage in your studies or work?
•Can leverage be bad if used in the wrong way? How can people use it responsibly?
Fill in the blanks
1.The company used financial leverage to ___ its market position and ___ more customers.
2.She leveraged her ___ and connections to get a promotion faster.
3.Unlike just working hard, leverage means using tools or advantages to ___ better results.
4.When you have leverage in a negotiation, you have more ___ to get what you want.
5.They tried to leverage social media ___ increase their product's popularity.
6.If you only have effort but no leverage, you might ___ to achieve your goals quickly.
7.Using leverage often means working ___, not harder.