Collocations are words that usually go together in English.
Here we are going to look at words that go with 'leverage' to make useful and popular expressions you will hear in social and professional contexts.
Have leverage with/over somebody/something
To 'have leverage' in this context means to have the power to influence or control somebody or something.
Examples
- We don't have sufficient leverage over them to get them to agree to unfavourable terms.
- The current government has much more leverage with the unions than the previous one, so a compromise should be reached.
- Tom likes to involve staff in his shady practices so that he can gain leverage over them.
Financial leverage
'Financial leverage' refers to the amount of borrowed capital used or needed to buy or pay for something.
Examples
- Looking at the company's debt-to-equity ratio, it was clear that it was highly financially leveraged.
- We are trying to expand the business without taking the risk of significantly increasing financial leverage.
- The company has very little equity to operate with and is therefore highly leveraged financially. That puts a large strain on the business as it must make substantial interest payments.
Economic leverage
When you have 'economic leverage' you have the ability to use financial power to exert influence or control.
Examples
- The country uses its enormous economic leverage to achieve its diplomatic aims.
- Critics of the company claim they should be using their economic leverage to help reduce the industry's carbon footprint.
Leverage skills/resources
If you 'leverage skills/resources', you make use of or maximise expertise or assets in order to do something.
Examples
- The organization needs to leverage its key resources to avert financial ruin.
- I'm hoping to leverage skills I picked up as a teacher to begin a new career in business management.
- The city council have been able to leverage resources to upgrade the city's outdated public transport system.
Provide leverage
If something 'provides leverage', it makes available or gives the power to exert influence or control.
Examples
- Our recent sales numbers will provide leverage for us in the upcoming merger negotiations.
- The busy Christmas shopping period provides leverage for public transport workers as strike action would cause chaos.
- I hope the investigation into Alex's business practices will turn up something capable of providing us with leverage over him.
Increase/maximise leverage
When you 'increase/maximise leverage', you boost or make the most of the advantages or influence available to you.
Examples
- To increase my leverage with my boss in my contract talks, I have been sounding out rival companies to see if they would be willing to offer me a better salary.
- The UN applied sanctions to the country to maximise leverage over them ahead of their nuclear disarmament talks.
These are some of the collocations you can make with 'leverage'. Can you think of any others?