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leg to stand on
01
a reasoning or explanation that is deemed sufficient to justify or defend someone's actions
Idiom
InformalWhat is the origin of the idiom "leg to stand on" and when to use it?
The idiom "leg to stand on" is believed to have originated in the 17th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of dueling, in which a duelist who was wounded or unable to stand was said to have no leg to stand on and was therefore at a disadvantage. This idiomatic expression came to be used to describe someone who had no support or justification for their position or opinion.
Example
The politician's denials were unconvincing and had no leg to stand on against the mounting evidence.
The team's excuses for its poor performance were lame and had no leg to stand on.
The politician's attempt to deny the allegations against him had no leg to stand on.
The company's claims that the product is safe have no leg to stand on in light of the recent recall.
The accused's alibi was weak and lacked a leg to stand on.
