Cheerleaders perform before the NFL football game between the St Louis Rams and the New England Patriots at Wembley Stadium in London. Photo: Reuters/Darren Staples
Today's Phrase
The expression 'a leg up' on someone means to have an advantage over someone.
For example:
My grandmother attended a catering course in France last year. Now, when it comes to cooking, she definitely has a leg up on the family.
If you study hard, you’ll have a leg up on the competition when it comes to finding a good job.
Don't confuse it with
The expression 'to pull someone's leg' means to play a trick on someone or tell them something that isn't true.
What?! You've won a million dollars in the lottery? You are pulling my leg!
Interesting fact
According to some authors, cheerleading started around 1877 in the United States, when Princeton University students yelled chants from the stands at games. Nowadays most cheerleaders are women.
