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

Dollar chains and other discount retailers that cater to low-income shoppers also lean on this type of spending for revenue.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“And when you respect somebody’s time, their talent, their effort, you know that you’ll always have one of your sisters to lean on that day even if you’re going through something in your personal life.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Before the Grasshopper Kids opportunity appeared, they had been planning to start leaning on their credit cards.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Hostage families and right-wing lawmakers are now leaning on the government to punish Hamas.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The company continues to see “persistent macroeconomic pressures” but it’s leaning on its “extraordinary” value and brand strength to right its business, Chief Executive Scott Boatwright said.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

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