Thread: Has anyone come across this expression?

(some object, person or animal) "has (or had) the legs on" (some other object, person or animal)

And if so, do you know what it means? I've heard it, have Googled it, and got nowhere.

The closest I know is something like in journalism, maybe, where a potential news story is worth following up because it looks promising.

"Follow up the story on the naked riot at the university, Ox. It looks like a politician was involved, this story has legs!"

It's kind of old usage, I'd say. And means the first person can run faster than the other, is outstripping them or catching up to them.

I've always understood it to mean that something has some potential for longevity. Maybe that has something to do with what lin is saying -- but more about stamina.

Originally Posted by lin

It's kind of old usage, I'd say. And means the first person can run faster than the other, is outstripping them or catching up to them.

This was what I thought but didn't want to tip my hand. So if it's old usage, I guess it wouldn't work in modern writing?

Why not?

OX, I think I sort of knew what it meant. The context should do the rest. No point in dumbing things down. If the phrase works -- use it.

It is an old phrase ... but then, so is getting caught with your hand in the cookie jar (or getting caught with your pants down), or cutting off one's nose to spite one's face, or ... Okay, those may not be such good examples, but the point I failed to make is this. Just because it's old, doesn't mean it won't work. If people know what it means - or can gist from the context - there is no reason not to use it.

And, for the record, as Joseph noted, if something has legs it means something has staying power, it can go the distance ... whatever, or however theoretical or virtual, that distance may be.

Thank you, all.

Heather Mills normally has a leg on. But I'm sure football commentators still say "McFee has the legs on Watson" as winger and left back race for the ball.

Originally Posted by spider8

Heather Mills normally has a leg on.

Wha...? Oh. Very good.

That's perfectly workable in modern writing I'd think. As the wordsmith says, if it fits, you should use it.

Hmm...I've heard of having a leg up, but not on.