leverage
/ˈliːvərɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlevərɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈle-və-rij ˈlē-; ˈlev-rij, ˈlēv-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈliː.vər.ɪdʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlev.ɚ.ɪdʒ/ (ame, ipa)
leverage — noun
1. the extra force that a lever gives you when you use it to lift, move, or open so
the extra force that a lever gives you when you use it to lift, move, or open something heavy or stuck.
The construction worker used a long metal bar to gain leverage on the heavy stone.
get leverage on + object
Tamar placed the fulcrum closer to the rock and gained enough leverage to lift it.
A crowbar gives you the leverage you need to pry open a wooden crate.
Without proper leverage, trying to lift the corner of the cabinet will strain your back.
- mechanical advantage
the technical term for the force multiplication a lever provides
- purchase
a firm grip or hold that gives you the power to move something
2. the power to control or affect what people do or how a situation develops, often
the power to control or affect what people do or how a situation develops, often because you have something they want.
The union used the threat of a strike as leverage in salary negotiations.
use + something + as leverage (in + context)
Lucía gained bargaining leverage by showing data on the company's falling profits.
bargaining leverage
Smaller countries often form alliances to gain more leverage against larger trading partners.
The CEO's knowledge of the market gave her significant leverage during the board meeting.
- weakness
the state of having no bargaining power
用法筆記
Often followed by over, with, or in. The subject is usually a person, group, or factor that holds something of value (e.g., information, resources, a threat) that the other party needs.
常見錯誤
3. a calculation that compares how much a company has borrowed to the total worth o
a calculation that compares how much a company has borrowed to the total worth of its assets, used as a measure of financial risk.
The bank reviewed the company's leverage ratio before approving the loan.
leverage ratio
High leverage means the firm has borrowed heavily compared to what it owns.
Ravindra explained that the airline's leverage was dangerously high after the new plane purchases.
Investors avoid companies with excessive leverage during economic downturns.
- gearing
the British English equivalent of the financial leverage ratio
用法筆記
Frequently used in finance with modifiers such as high, low, excessive. Often appears as leverage ratio or degree of leverage.
常見錯誤
4. the strategy of taking out loans to fund investments, with the aim of earning mo
the strategy of taking out loans to fund investments, with the aim of earning more from the investment than the loan costs.
The investment firm used leverage to acquire a chain of hotels during the market downturn.
use leverage to + infinitive (purpose)
Real estate investors rely on leverage by taking out a mortgage to buy a property.
rely on leverage by + gerund
Christopher warned that excessive leverage could wipe out the fund if property prices fell.
The company funded its expansion through leverage rather than selling new shares.
- borrowing
a neutral term without the strategic implication of amplifying returns
- debt financing
more formal; opposite of equity financing
- equity financing
raising money by selling shares instead of borrowing
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun/3: sense 3 describes the static ratio of debt to value, while sense 4 describes the active strategy of using debt as a financial tool. The verb form (verb/2) mirrors this active strategy.
常見錯誤
leverage — verb
1. to use something you already have — such as skills, money, contacts, or technolo
to use something you already have — such as skills, money, contacts, or technology — to create a better result or reach a new goal.
The startup leveraged its social media followers to attract customers without paying for ads.
leverage + [resource] + to + [purpose]
Tuan leveraged his coding skills to build a mobile app that helped local farmers.
The charity leveraged its partnership with local grocery stores to expand the food delivery program.
Élise leveraged her network of former colleagues to find a job in a different industry.
Schools can leverage free online tools to create interactive lessons for students at home.
- use
a neutral, all-purpose verb; leverage adds the idea of getting extra value
- capitalize on
suggests taking advantage of an opportunity; slightly more formal
- exploit
has a negative connotation of unfair advantage; not a direct synonym
- utilize
more formal; common in academic and technical writing
- waste
to fail to take advantage of a resource
文法句型
leverage + noun phrase
leverage + noun phrase + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Common in business, technology, and personal-development contexts. The object is typically an existing asset (skill, relationship, data, platform). Avoid using this verb in formal academic writing, where employ or utilize may be preferred.
常見錯誤
2. to acquire a business or asset with borrowed funds, counting on future earnings
to acquire a business or asset with borrowed funds, counting on future earnings to repay the debt.
The private equity firm leveraged its retail chain purchase with a large bank loan.
leverage + purchase + with + [source of debt]
Jack leveraged his rental portfolio by taking out a second mortgage to buy another building.
The company decided not to leverage its expansion plans after interest rates went up sharply.
Yumi's firm leveraged a struggling competitor and integrated it into their own operations.
- finance with debt
a literal paraphrase; less common in everyday business talk
- buy out with borrowed funds
descriptive but not a single-verb synonym
文法句型
leverage + noun phrase (acquisition target)
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive form (was leveraged) in news about corporate takeovers. The related noun form is leveraged buyout (LBO). Distinguish from verb/3: this sense involves debt used to acquire a specific asset, while verb/3 focuses on amplifying returns on any financial position.
常見錯誤
3. to use financial instruments or strategies — such as margin trading, options, or
to use financial instruments or strategies — such as margin trading, options, or derivatives — to multiply the potential gain (or loss) from an investment beyond what your own money would produce alone.
Some traders leverage their positions by buying options instead of actual shares.
leverage + [financial position] + by + [method]
Tendai warned that leveraging in forex can multiply losses just as fast as gains.
The hedge fund leveraged its bet on rising oil prices through futures contracts.
Lauren decided not to leverage her stock portfolio after the market showed signs of instability.
- trade on margin
a specific form of leverage where you borrow from a broker to buy securities
- magnify exposure
describes the effect rather than being a direct verb synonym
文法句型
leverage + noun phrase (investment/position)
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/2: verb/2 means buying assets with borrowed money (the debt is used for the purchase itself), while verb/3 means magnifying exposure to price movements using financial contracts (margin, derivatives) without necessarily owning the underlying asset. This sense is common in trading, hedge funds, and speculative investing.