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lean against — to rest against something for support; to put your body weight against something

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to rest against something for support; to put your body weight against something

Pronunciation (IPA): /liːn əˈɡenst/

Example Sentences

  • The lazy cat decided to lean against the warm laptop instead of the cold floor.
  • After running the marathon, he had to lean against every lamppost on his way home.
  • Don't lean against that freshly painted wall!

lean against

VERB

[/liːn əˈɡenst/]

to rest against something for support; to put your body weight against something

a tired jogger in athletic wear places their back against the thick trunk of an oak tree. The person's full body weight rests against the solid bark surface while they catch their breath. Their running shoes are planted firmly on the ground as they use the tree for complete support. Another jogger nearby stretches on a bench, also taking a rest break. A few fallen leaves scatter around the base of the supportive tree trunk.  someone leaning against something to rest their body weight for support
💡 Concept

a tired jogger in athletic wear places their back against the thick trunk of an oak tree. The person's full body weight rests against the solid bark surface while they catch their breath. Their running shoes are planted firmly on the ground as they use the tree for complete support. Another jogger nearby stretches on a bench, also taking a rest break. A few fallen leaves scatter around the base of the supportive tree trunk. someone leaning against something to rest their body weight for support

Lean against the clean wall by the bright screen
🎵 Rhyme

Lean against the clean wall by the bright screen

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/liːn əˈɡenst/
🇬🇧 UK/liːn əˈɡeɪnst/

🌳Etymology

Rootlean

Origin

Lean derives from Old English hleonian, meaning 'to incline' or 'to bend'. Against combines Old English on ('against') and again ('back, opposite'), originally meaning 'facing' or 'in contact with the opposite side'.

Breakdown

lean (Old English hleonian, 'to incline') + against (on + again, literally 'facing opposite direction'). Together they form a phrasal verb meaning to rest one's body against something at an angle.

🎵Rhyme

seen
clean
mean
screen

🔗Collocations

lean against the wall
lean against the door
lean against the tree
lean against the fence
lean against someone
lean heavily against

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“The lazy cat decided to lean against the warm laptop instead of the cold floor.”

😄 Fun example

“After running the marathon, he had to lean against every lamppost on his way home.”

“Don't lean against that freshly painted wall!”

“She likes to lean against the window and watch the rain.”

📚Related Words

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