Definition

1. Noun (plural form):
   • The limbs on which a person or animal walks and stands: The lower limbs of the human body or the corresponding parts in animals, extending from the hip to the foot.
   • Supporting parts of a piece of furniture or object: The vertical or angled supports for a table, chair, or other structure.
   • Stages or parts of a journey, race, or competition: A distinct section or part of a trip, relay race, or multi-part contest.
   • (Informal) Staying power, endurance, or long-term appeal: The ability of something, such as a performance, product, or idea, to remain popular, successful, or viable over a long period.

Usage Examples

• Noun (limbs):
  • She broke both her legs in the accident.
  • The horse has strong, muscular legs.
• Noun (furniture parts):
  • One of the table legs is wobbly.
  • He repaired the chair's broken leg.
• Noun (stages of a journey/race):
  • The first leg of our trip was from London to Paris.
  • Our team won the final leg of the relay.
• Noun (staying power):
  • That new TV show has legs; it will probably run for many seasons.
  • Despite being an old theory, it still has legs in academic circles.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on one's last legs": To be very tired, near collapse, or about to stop working/failing.
  • After running the marathon, I was on my last legs.
  • My old car is on its last legs.
• "to not have a leg to stand on": To have no support for one's argument or position; to be in an indefensible situation.
  • Without evidence, you don't have a leg to stand on in court.
• "to pull someone's leg": To tease or joke with someone in a friendly way.
  • I was just pulling your leg; I didn't really lose your book.

Variants and Related Words

• Leg (noun, singular): The singular form of 'legs'.
• Leggy (adjective): Having long legs.
  • The model is tall and leggy.
• Legwork (noun): The physical work involved in a task, such as gathering information.
  • The detective did the legwork to solve the case.

Synonyms

• Limbs (for the body part).
• Supports (for furniture).
• Stages, segments (for a journey).
• Longevity, endurance, staying power (for informal usage).

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Leg it (informal): To run away or depart quickly on foot.
  • When the alarm sounded, we had to leg it out of there.
• Leg up (informal): An advantage or a boost.
  • His internship gave him a leg up in the job market.

Related Idioms

• "Break a leg!": A phrase used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance.
  • Break a leg in your play tonight!
• "Shake a leg!": A phrase meaning to hurry up.
  • Shake a leg, or we'll be late!
• "Cost an arm and a leg": To be very expensive.
  • That new phone costs an arm and a leg.

Noun

1. staying power
   • that old Broadway play really has legs