lean on
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle on
Meanings
Pressure someone strongly to do something
Why “on”? An action is directed onto a person, thing or weakness as its target.
“They leaned on him to confess.”
“The bank leaned on them to pay.”
Don't confuse with
Lean on means pressure someone strongly to do something. Lean in means move your body forward toward something.
Test yourself
“They leaned on him to confess.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
lean in
A contrast learners often mix up
Move your body forward toward something
cheat on
Same on pattern: target
Be unfaithful to a partner
dote on
Same on pattern: target
Show extreme affection toward someone
fall on
Same on pattern: target
Attack someone fiercely
feast on
Same on pattern: target
Eat a large amount of a particular food with enjoyment
feed on
Same on pattern: target
Eat a particular food regularly
frown on
Same on pattern: target
Disapprove of something
gang up on
Same on pattern: target
Join together as a group to threaten or attack one person
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