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definitions

leg

[leg]
|

noun

verb (used with object), legged, leg·ging.

to move or propel (a boat) with the legs: They legged the boat through the tunnel.

Verb Phrases

leg up, to help (someone) to mount a horse.

Idioms

    leg it, Informal. to walk rapidly or run: We'd better leg it or we'll be late for class.
    leg up,
    1. a means of help or encouragement; assist; boost: Studying the material with a tutor will give you a leg up on passing the exam.
    2. advantage; edge.
    not have a leg to stand on, to lack a valid or logical basis for one's argument or attitude: Without evidence, the prosecutor doesn't have a leg to stand on.
    on one's/its last legs, just short of exhaustion, breakdown, failure, etc.: The aristocracy was on its last legs.
    pull someone's leg,
    1. to make fun of someone; tease.
    2. to deceive someone; trick someone.
    shake a leg, Informal.
    1. to hurry up.
    2. Older Use.to dance.
    stretch one's legs, to take a walk; get some needed exercise after prolonged sitting: He got up during the intermission to stretch his legs.

Origin of leg

1225–75; 1915–20 for def 10; Middle English < Old Norse leggr
Related formsleg·less, adjectiveleg·like, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for stretch one's legs

leg

noun

  1. either of the two lower limbs, including the bones and fleshy covering of the femur, tibia, fibula, and patella
  2. (as modifier)leg guard; leg rest Related adjective: crural
any similar or analogous structure in animals that is used for locomotion or support
this part of an animal, esp the thigh, used for foodleg of lamb
something similar to a leg in appearance or function, such as one of the four supporting members of a chair
a branch, limb, or part of a forked or jointed object
the part of a garment that covers the leg
a section or part of a journey or course
a single stage, lap, length, etc, in a relay race
either one of two races on which a cumulative bet has been placed
either the opposite or adjacent side of a right-angled triangle
nautical
  1. the distance travelled without tacking
  2. (in yacht racing) the course between any two marks
one of a series of games, matches, or parts of games
cricket
  1. the side of the field to the left of a right-handed batsman as he faces the bowler
  2. (as modifier)a leg slip; leg stump
give someone a leg up
  1. to help someone to climb an obstacle by pushing upwards
  2. to help someone to advance
have legs informal to be successful or show the potential to succeed
not have a leg to stand on to have no reasonable or logical basis for an opinion or argument
on its last legs worn out; exhausted
pull someone's leg informal to tease, fool, or make fun of someone
shake a leg informal
  1. to hurry up: usually used in the imperative
  2. to dance
show a leg informal to get up in the morning
stretch one's legs See stretch (def. 17)

verb legs, legging or legged

(tr) obsolete to propel (a canal boat) through a tunnel by lying on one's back and walking one's feet along the tunnel roof
leg it informal to walk, run, or hurry
Derived Formsleglike, adjective

Word Origin for leg

C13: from Old Norse leggr, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for stretch one's legs

leg

v.

"to use the legs; walk or run," c.1500 (from the beginning usually with it); from leg (n.).

leg

n.

late 13c., from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse leggr "leg, bone of the arm or leg," from Proto-Germanic *lagjaz, with no certain ulterior connections, perhaps from a PIE root meaning "to bend" [Buck]. Cf. German Bein "leg," in Old High German "bone, leg." Replaced Old English shank. Of furniture supports from 1670s. The meaning "a part or stage of a journey or race" (1920) is from earlier sailing sense of "a run made on a single tack" (1867), which was usually qualified as long leg, short leg, etc. Slang phrase shake a leg "dance" is attested from 1881. To be on (one's) last legs "at the end of one's life" is from 1590s.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
stretch one's legs in Medicine

leg

[lĕg]

n.

One of the two lower limbs of the human body, especially the part between the knee and the foot.
A supporting part resembling a leg in shape or function.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Idioms and Phrases with stretch one's legs

stretch one's legs

Stand up or go for a walk, especially after a prolonged period of sitting. For example, Let's go stretch our legs at intermission. [c. 1600]

leg

In addition to the idiom beginning with leg

  • leg up, a

also see:

  • arm and a leg
  • break a leg
  • on one's last legs
  • pull someone's leg
  • shake a leg
  • stretch one's legs
  • tail between one's legs
  • without a leg to stand on
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.