a leg to stand on

phrase

: support
especially : a basis for one's position in a controversy

Examples of a leg to stand on in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Republicans, however, still have a leg to stand on from an unprecedented flood of outside super PAC cash, bankrolled by a tiny circle of billionaires led by Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of a leg to stand on was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“A leg to stand on.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20leg%20to%20stand%20on. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster