lean on sb
informal— phrasal verb with lean uk/liːn/us/liːn/verb [ I or T, usually + adv/prep ] leaned or UK also leant, leaned or UK also leant
C2 to try to make someone do what you want by threatening or persuading them:
We may have to lean on them a little if we want our money.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Urging & persuading
- argumentation
- blag
- brainwash
- bring
- browbeat
- butter
- get sth out of sb
- persuade
- persuasion
- preach
- press-gang
- prevail on/upon sb
- proselytize
- rush sb into (doing) sth
- sucker sb into sth
- swing
- talk sb down
- talk sb out of sth
- twist
- work on sb
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