leverage

The power to influence people or events by using something that gives you an advantage.

• The union has considerable leverage.
• Her experience gave her leverage in the negotiations.
• They used the contract as leverage to demand better terms.

How to use it: leverage over someone/something (The debt gave the bank leverage over the company.)

Similar words: influence, bargaining power

Common phrases: political leverage, bargaining leverage, leverage over someone, use leverage

The use of borrowed money to increase the amount you can invest, with greater possible gains and losses.

• The fund uses leverage to invest.
• High leverage increased the company’s financial risk.
• They reduced leverage by paying back some loans.

Similar words: gearing

Common phrases: financial leverage, high leverage, increase leverage

The extra force you get by using a bar to lift or move something heavy.

• Use a longer bar for leverage.
• He gained leverage by moving his hand along the handle.
• The tool provides enough leverage to lift the stone.

Similar words: mechanical advantage

Common phrases: get leverage, use leverage, extra leverage, mechanical leverage

To use something effectively to gain an advantage or achieve a result.

• We can leverage these contacts.
• They leveraged the publicity into a new business deal.
• She leveraged her language skills to find work abroad.

How to use it: leverage something to do something (They leveraged their network to find investors.); leverage something into something (She leveraged her success into a publishing contract.)

Similar words: use, exploit, make use of

Common phrases: leverage something, leverage available resources, leverage existing knowledge

To make something more successful by using an advantage you already have.

• We leveraged our reputation to attract customers.
• The team leveraged its strengths to improve results.
• Can we leverage this brand to increase sales?

How to use it: leverage something to do something (We leveraged our experience to improve the service.)

Similar words: enhance, boost

Common phrases: leverage a reputation, leverage existing strengths, leverage a brand

To use borrowed money or existing assets to increase the amount available for investment.

• The firm leveraged its assets.
• They leveraged their capital to buy more shares.
• The business is heavily leveraged and owes several banks money.

How to use it: leverage something to do something (They leveraged their assets to finance the purchase.)

Common phrases: leverage assets, leverage capital, leverage an investment