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THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE

Not have a leg to stand on

Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.

01 / UNDERSTAND

Meaning in plain English

Have no convincing evidence or argument to support your position.

02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT

The expression in a sentence

  1. Without the booking confirmation, we didn’t have a leg to stand on in the argument.

03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Quick idiom quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the expression?

Which expression from this lesson matches this meaning?

Have no convincing evidence or argument to support your position.
Show the answer

Not have a leg to stand on — Have no convincing evidence or argument to support your position.

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Make it yours

Write one sentence using “Not have a leg to stand on” about your own life.

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

Have no convincing evidence or argument to support your position.

Compare: Without the booking confirmation, we didn’t have a leg to stand on in the argument.

Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

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More ways to understand and use it

When to use it

Use this conversational expression about a weak claim in a disagreement. It can sound dismissive, so explain the missing evidence rather than using it as a personal insult.

More examples in context

  • His accusation had no evidence behind it, so he didn’t have a leg to stand on.
  • I checked the rules before complaining; I didn’t want to be left without a leg to stand on.

Usage note

Keep the negative meaning: “don’t have” or “without”. The phrase is about support for an argument, rather than physical ability or a person’s worth.

A short conversation

A: Can we insist that delivery was included?
B: We don’t have a leg to stand on. The written quote clearly excludes it.
A: Then we should ask what the delivery charge is.

One more practice question

Which claim lacks a leg to stand on?

A. A claim with no evidence or sound argument supporting it.
B. A claim backed by clear records and strong evidence.

Check your answer

A. The expression means the position has no convincing support.

Related lessons

Meaning and usage checked against Cambridge Dictionary. Explanations, examples and conversation are original.

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