lean on

English

Verb

lean on (third-person singular simple present leans on, present participle leaning on, simple past and past participle leaned on or leant on)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lean,‎ on.
2. (figurative) To depend upon for support; to require assistance from.
   • 2020, Angus Charles Lindsay, "Swallowing the Black Pill: A Qualitative Exploration of Incel Antifeminism within Digital Society", thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington, [1]:

     I wish to acknowledge my supervisors (including my unofficial supervisors) who I have leaned on greatly to create a thesis (hopefully) worth reading.

3. To put pressure on; to attempt to compel a person to do something; to exert influence on.
   • 2018 August 15, Benjamin Kemper, “Nut Milks Are Milk, Says Almost Every Culture Across the Globe”, in Smithsonian Magazine‎^[2]:

     [ Scott Gottlieb ] argues that putting dairy and nondairy milks under the same umbrella dupes consumers into thinking the two are nutritional equals, which, according to him, could have potentially dire consequences such as rickets in toddlers. […] Of course, a more cynical read of the situation posits that Big Dairy is leaning on the FDA to discredit plant milks, the industry’s biggest competition, as a viable substitute for cow’s milk.

   He didn't make a donation until some of his customers leaned on him.

4. To criticize or reprimand for the purpose of changing behavior.

Translations

to depend upon someone's shoulder for support

• Armenian: հենվել (hy) (henvel)
• Maori: pahiwi
• Polish: liczyć na impf
• Turkish: dayanmak (tr)

Anagrams

• Nealon