lean on

verb

1. Also: lean upon. to depend on for advice, support, etc

2. informal,  to exert pressure on (someone), as by threats or intimidation

Idioms and Phrases

Rely on, depend on, as in He's leaning on me for help . [Mid-1400s]

Exert pressure on one, especially to obtain something or make one do something against his or her will. For example, The gangsters were leaning on local storekeepers to pay them protection money . [ Colloquial ; mid-1900s]

Example Sentences

Throughout the speech, Kirk leaned on her Christian faith, calling the moment a “spiritual battle” and describing her husband as a “martyr.”

From Salon

Drawing on their coaching backgrounds, both have leaned on a collaborative approach to building the roster, but free agency will be a test this offseason.

From Los Angeles Times

Harris, 48, who considers her family “politically mixed,” hopes that people lean on their faith as they try to move forward from this tragedy, rather than veering toward extremism.

From Los Angeles Times

Such is their forward power and the usual slickness of their line-out, that the Red Roses have previously leaned on the line-out drive too heavily.

From BBC

The law has been a thin reed to lean on, Weil observes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• berate 
• censure 
• chastise 
• criticize 
• excoriate 
• flog 
• lambaste 
• lash 
• penalize 
• pummel 
• punish 
• rebuke 
• reprimand 
• scold 
• upbraid