lever

1.nounB2

Definition

a long, stiff bar that rests on a fixed support point and is used to lift or move heavy objects, or a handle that operates a machine by being pushed or pulled.

Example

The mechanic pulled the lever to raise the car off the ground.

pull a lever to operate machinery

Daichi pushed the lever forward, and the conveyor belt began to move.

Common collocations

pull a lever
push a lever
operate a lever
move a lever
pull on a lever

Synonyms

bar
a more general term for a long piece of metal or wood; not all bars are levers
handle
focuses on the gripping part; a handle may not have the mechanical advantage of a lever
crowbar
a specific type of curved metal lever used for prying things apart

Usage Note

Frequently appears with the verbs 'push', 'pull', 'move', and 'operate'. The object moved is typically heavy, stuck, or part of a machine.

Common Mistakes

Press the lever to turn on the light.

Flip the switch to turn on the light.

A lever needs pushing or pulling, not pressing; switches control electrical circuits.

He used a screwdriver as a lever to lift the window.

He used a screwdriver to pry the window open.

A screwdriver can act as a lever, but the more natural verb is 'pry' when forcing something open.

2.nounC1

Definition

something that you use to influence or pressure someone into doing what you want, often in a way that is not entirely fair.

Example

The union used the threat of a strike as a lever to demand better wages.

use something as a lever to demand

Quan felt his boss used the promotion as a lever to demand longer hours.

Common collocations

use as a lever
have a lever
provide a lever
a powerful lever

Synonyms

leverage
the more common noun form for this figurative sense; 'lever' is rarer and more concrete in tone
bargaining chip
specifically in negotiations; more informal than 'lever'
tool
more neutral and general; lacks the connotation of unfair pressure

Usage Note

Subject is often a person or group with some form of advantage. The 'lever' itself is typically a threat, piece of information, or resource that creates pressure. Negative tone is common but not required.

Common Mistakes

Money is a good lever to help the poor.

Money is a useful tool to help the poor.

'Lever' implies pressure or influence, not general helpfulness.

1.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to move, lift, or force something open by using a long bar or similar tool, pushing or pulling against a fixed point.

Example

Élise levered the heavy stone slab aside with an iron bar.

levered + object + adverb (aside)

Ritu carefully levered the lid off the wooden crate with a screwdriver.

Common collocations

lever open
lever up
lever off
lever aside
lever out

Synonyms

pry
specifically means to force something open or apart; more common than 'lever' as a verb
prize
British English variant of 'pry', common in UK but rare in US
heave
focuses on the effort of lifting rather than the use of a tool

Grammar Patterns

lever + object + adverb/preposition

Usage Note

Typically followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase indicating direction or result (aside, open, up, off, out of). The tool used is often mentioned in a 'with' phrase.

Common Mistakes

He levered the box down from the shelf with his hands.

He lifted the box down from the shelf.

'Lever' implies using a tool or bar, not bare hands.

2.verbtransitiveB2

Definition

to move someone or something by applying a lot of physical strength, typically into or out of a tight or awkward spot, sometimes with a tool and sometimes just with your body.

Example

The nurses levered the heavy patient into a sitting position on the bed.

lever + object + into a position

Mateo levered himself out of the narrow space between the rocks.

Common collocations

lever into
lever out of
lever onto
lever into position

Synonyms

heave
focuses on the pulling/lifting effort without specifying the use of a tool
haul
suggests pulling something heavy over a distance
manoeuvre
focuses on skill and precision rather than raw force

Grammar Patterns

lever + reflexive pronoun + preposition

lever + object + into/to

Usage Note

Often used with reflexive pronouns (levered himself/herself) or in medical and rescue contexts. The key difference from verb sense 1 is that the focus is on the effort involved rather than the specific tool used.

Common Mistakes

She levered the book off the table.

She picked the book off the table.

'Lever' implies great effort or an awkward position; a book is too light.

3.verbtransitiveC1

Definition

to alter circumstances in a way that benefits you, often by dishonest or unfair means.

Example

The politician levered himself into a powerful position by making secret deals.

lever + reflexive + into [position] (figurative)

Joon levered the hiring rules to get her friend a job without an interview.

Common collocations

lever into power
lever oneself into
lever ahead of

Synonyms

manipulate
more common and covers a wider range of dishonest influence
exploit
focuses on taking advantage of a situation or person
manoeuvre
can be neutral or negative; implies strategic positioning

Grammar Patterns

lever + reflexive pronoun + into [position]

lever + object

Usage Note

Strongly negative connotation. Typically used in political, corporate, or competitive contexts. Distinguish from noun sense 2: the verb focuses on the action of changing a situation, while the noun focuses on the thing used to apply pressure.

Common Mistakes

She levered her team to win the competition.

She led her team to win the competition.

'Lever' implies unfair manipulation, not positive leadership.

Word family

leverage
nounC1
leverage
verbC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words refer to long, rigid objects, but each has a different focus. A 'bar' is the most general term — any long piece of metal or wood, not necessarily used for lifting. A 'handle' is specifically the part you grip to operate something, and it may not provide mechanical advantage. A 'crowbar' is a curved metal tool with a split end, designed for prying nails and forcing things open; it is a specific type of lever. A 'pry bar' is similar to a crowbar but usually straighter and smaller. A 'lever' is the broadest mechanical concept: any rigid bar that pivots on a fulcrum to multiply force. For example, you use a crowbar to pry open a crate, but a simple plank used to roll a boulder is still a lever even though it has no special shape.

bar ↗handle ↗crowbarpry bar

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

use as a lever
act as a lever
provide a lever
push/pull a lever

Prepositions

into
out of
onto
off
aside
up
open

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

The word 'lever' comes from Old French 'levier' meaning 'a lifter', which developed from the Latin verb 'levare' meaning 'to raise or lift up'. This Latin verb itself comes from 'levis' meaning 'light in weight' — the idea being that a lever makes a heavy object feel light by multiplying the force you apply. The figurative sense of using something as a tool of influence developed in the mid-19th century.

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lever

lever — noun

1. a long, stiff bar that rests on a fixed support point and is used to lift or mov

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. something that you use to influence or pressure someone into doing what you want

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

lever — verb

1. to move, lift, or force something open by using a long bar or similar tool, push

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

2. to move someone or something by applying a lot of physical strength, typically i

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

3. to alter circumstances in a way that benefits you, often by dishonest or unfair

Grammar Patterns

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Word family

Synonym discussion

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

Prepositions

Etymology

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