PhrasesHub

Show a leg

    Definitions

      • wake up
        To rouse someone from sleep or to get out of bed

      • start working
        To begin the day's activities or to start the workday

    Examples of Show a leg

    • The ballroom was packed, and Emily wanted to find a seat for her and her date. As they squeezed through the crowded dance floor, the man ahead of them turned around and said, "Excuse me, miss, but would you mind showin' a leg?" Emily was taken aback but quickly realized that he wasn't asking her to bare her thigh—he was requesting that she move her leg so he could get by.

      "Show a leg" is an idiom that originated from the dress code of the 18th and 19th centuries, when women were required to wear very long skirts that nearly touched the ground. At formal occasions, men would sometimes ask women to move aside by asking them to "show a leg," since it was considered impolite to simply push through a crowded room. While this custom is no longer in practice, the expression has remained as a figurative way of saying "move aside" or "excuse me" in a crowded or narrow space.

    • John had been sitting in his cramped office all day, and he was feeling restless. He decided to take a break and stretch his legs, but his desk was against the wall. As he tried to work his way out of his chair, he murmured under his breath, "Well, I guess I'll just have to show a leg and squeeze my way out."

      In this example, "show a leg" is being used figuratively to mean "make a narrow or difficult exit." The phrase is based on the idea of a horse showing one leg at a time as it steps forward or backward, and by extension, being forced to contort or maneuver oneself in a restricted space.

    • The line for the roller coaster snaked through the park and seemed never-ending. The family ahead of them was moving slow, and Emily's son, Ryan, was getting fidgety. "Mom, can we go to the front of the line?" he pleaded. Emily sighed and turned to the couple behind them. "Excuse me, would either of you mind showing a leg and letting our family go ahead?"

      In this context, "show a leg" is being used as a polite way of asking someone to step aside or move forward to allow others to pass. The phrase is intended to convey a sense of ease and non-imposition, as if asking someone to simply shift their position slightly rather than demand access.

    • As the fire inspector made his way through the crowded nightclub, he noticed that there were far too many people packed into the small space. "Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you all to show a leg and move to the side. We need to clear a path for the emergency exits in case of an emergency."

      In this final example, "show a leg" is being used metaphorically to signal a call for people to move aside for safety reasons. The phrase is particularly apt in this situation, as it conveys the sense of urgency and clearance that is necessary in the event of an evacuation.

    • The party was packed with people, and my friends and I were struggling to find a place to stand. Suddenly, a man tapped us on the shoulder and asked us to "show a leg."

      In this scenario, "show a leg" is being used as a request for one person in a group to step aside or make room for others. It's often used in crowded places like dance floors or public transportation.

    • There was a long line of people waiting to enter the concert venue, and some of them were getting restless. Security guards started asking people to "show a leg" to speed up the entry process.

      In this case, "show a leg" is being used to ask people to move out of the way so that others can pass. The phrase is often used by event staff or security guards to manage crowds and maintain order.

    • During a game of Twister, my friend accidentally sat on my other friend's leg. We all laughed and teased her, saying, "Hey, show a leg over here!"

      In this light-hearted example, "show a leg" is being used in a humorous way to request someone to move their leg so that others can use it as a support while playing the game.

    • We had invited a lot of people for dinner, but suddenly, more guests arrived than we had anticipated. As we struggled to accommodate them, my husband asked our guests to "show a leg" and move to the dining room, where we had set up extra tables and chairs.

      In this instance, "show a leg" is being used to ask people to change their location or move to a different space. It's often employed in situations where you need to make space for others or manage multiple events simultaneously.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "show a leg" can have two different meanings. It can be used to wake someone up or to start working for the day. In both cases, it implies the start of activity or movement.

    Origin of "Show a leg"

    The origin of the idiom "show a leg" dates back to the naval tradition. In the past, sailors were awakened by the call "show a leg" to indicate that it was time to get out of their hammocks and start the day. This phrase was used to rouse the sailors from their sleep and begin their duties on the ship. Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in a more general sense to wake someone up or start working. The naval origin of the idiom adds a nautical flair to its usage in everyday language.