leverage
gb/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/ us/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
B1
English
~ 5000
befolyás, alkupozíció, nyomásgyakorlási eszköz, kihasznál, hasznosít, kamatoztat, erőáttétel, emelőhatás, mechanikai előny, tőkeáttétel, adósság/saját tőke arány
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to have leverage over [someone/something]
The workers used the threat of a strike as leverage in their negotiations.
A dolgozók a sztrájkkal való fenyegetést nyomásgyakorlási eszközként használták a tárgyalásaikon.
Her expertise in the field gave her significant leverage during the meeting.
A szakterületen szerzett tudása jelentős befolyást biztosított neki az értekezleten.
The company has little leverage in these trade talks.
Learner examples
She has leverage because she knows the boss.
Befolyása van, mert ismeri a főnököt.
We have no leverage to change the rules.
Nincs befolyásunk arra, hogy megváltoztassuk a szabályokat.
He used his contacts as leverage to get a better job.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'leverage' with 'leisure' due to similar spelling, but they have very different meanings.
Meaning
advantage from influence or resources
Collocations
gain leverage
|use leverage
|have leverage
|increase leverage
|political leverage
Synonyms
influence (A more general term for the ability to affect others, not necessarily through resources.)
|
clout (Informal term for social or political influence.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (The opposite of having an advantage or influence.)
Themes
business
|negotiation
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Power or influence that you can use to get what you want.
The ability to influence a situation or outcome by using power, resources, or relationships.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to leverage [something] to [do something]
The startup leveraged social media to grow quickly.
Az induló vállalkozás kihasználta a közösségi médiában rejlő lehetőségeket, és gyorsan növekedett.
He leveraged his experience to secure the promotion.
A tapasztalatát kamatoztatta, hogy megszerezze az előléptetést.
They are leveraging new technology to improve efficiency.
Learner examples
We can leverage our skills to win.
Hasznosíthatjuk a képességeinket a győzelemhez.
She leveraged her contacts to find a job.
Kamatoztatta a kapcsolatait, hogy munkát találjon.
They leveraged the internet to sell products.
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'leverage' only in financial contexts; in modern English it is also common in general business and strategy contexts.
Meaning
to use something for advantage
Collocations
leverage skills
|leverage technology
|leverage connections
|leverage data
Synonyms
utilize (More formal and neutral; does not always imply gaining an advantage.)
|
exploit (Can carry a negative connotation of unfair use.)
Antonyms
waste (To fail to use something effectively.)
Themes
business
|strategy
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To use something you have to get what you want.
To use an asset, resource, or situation to achieve a desired result or gain an advantage.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
3
Using a longer handle gives you more leverage to lift the rock.
A hosszabb nyél nagyobb erőáttételt ad a kő felemeléséhez.
The crowbar provided enough leverage to open the crate.
A feszítővas elég erőáttételt biztosított a láda felnyitásához.
He adjusted his grip for better leverage.
Learner examples
A long bar gives more leverage.
A hosszú rúd nagyobb erőáttételt ad.
He used a stick for leverage.
Egy botot használt, hogy nagyobb erőáttételt érjen el.
We need more leverage to move this box.
Meaning
mechanical advantage from lever
Collocations
gain leverage
|mechanical leverage
Synonyms
mechanical advantage (Technical term for the ratio of output force to input force in mechanics.)
Antonyms
disadvantage (In mechanics, the opposite of having an advantage in force application.)
Themes
engineering
|physics
|science
|technology
Definition
The extra power you get when you use a lever to move something.
The mechanical advantage obtained by using a lever to apply force.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
The bank is concerned about the firm's high leverage.
A bankot aggasztja a cég magas tőkeáttétele.
Financial leverage can increase returns but also risk.
A pénzügyi tőkeáttétel növelheti a hozamot, de a kockázatot is.
They reduced their leverage by paying off debt.
Learner examples
The company has high leverage.
A vállalatnak magas a tőkeáttétele.
High leverage can be risky.
A magas tőkeáttétel kockázatos lehet.
They lowered their leverage last year.
Meaning
financial debt-to-equity ratio
Collocations
high leverage
|financial leverage
Synonyms
gearing (British English term for financial leverage.)
Antonyms
equity financing (Raising funds without borrowing money.)
Themes
finance
|economics
|business
Definition
In business, how much money a company has borrowed compared to its own money.
In finance, the ratio of a company's debt to its equity, indicating the extent to which it uses borrowed money.
Grammar
Dictionary form
leverage
IPA
GB/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
US/lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
Syllables & stress
lever - age (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (lever)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: leverage
- Plural: leverage
Verb
- Base: leverage
- 3rd Person Singular: leverages
- Present Participle: leveraging
- Past: leveraged
Word family
Forms
leverages
verb
leveraging
verb
leveraged
verb
Related words
lever
noun B1
Expressions
financial leverage
1/fɪnˈænʃəl lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
technical
use of debt for investment returns
Using borrowed money to try to make more profit from investments.
Examples
- High financial leverage can lead to big profits or big losses.
- Investors need to understand the risks of financial leverage.
gain leverage
1/ɡˈeɪn lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
get more influence or advantage
To get more power or influence in a situation.
Examples
- They gained leverage by securing key allies.
- You can gain leverage through careful planning.
political leverage
1/pəlˈɪtɪkəl lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
influence in politics
Power or advantage that someone has in politics.
Examples
- The party gained political leverage after the election results.
- She used her popularity as political leverage.
use as leverage
1/jˈuz ˈæz lˈɛvɚɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
use something for influence or advantage
To use something you have as a way to get what you want.
Examples
- He used the threat of quitting as leverage.
- They used their strong sales figures as leverage in negotiations.