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legs

legs

6 7.0
A thing that stays popular for a long time, like an idea or show
  • noun
  • /lɛgz/
  • Informal
translation icon : viabilidad
  • The new smartphone has great battery life, but I'm not sure if it will have legs in the market for long.

Examples

  • Her first novel quickly gained readers, but only time will tell if it has legs beyond the initial hype.

  • Even the Smirnoff is on its last legs, Lad.

  • It's just on its last legs, eyeliner and stag.

  • MY ASS IS ON ITS LAST LEGS.

  • "HE HAD THE LEAN, HARD BODY AND SUPPLE LEGS OF A TENNIS PROFESSIONAL."

  • TOM SITS UP, SWINGING HIS LEGS OVER THE SIDE OF THE COT.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • While the latest fashion trend is popular now, it may not have legs for next season.

Synonyms

traction
vslegs
  • Jargon
53 4.9

Growing customer use that shows a product is becoming successful

means lasting success or popularity rather than early market growth
long legs
vslegs
  • Literature
1 6.8

A story or rumor that people keep talking about for a long time

applies to lasting success or popularity of ideas shows or products

Idioms

7 7.2

Being very tired or worn out and about to break down

to have legs
  • Informal
5 7.7

Be likely to succeed or last a long time

An animal that stands on its back legs to see or reach something

To say someone is the most outstanding person who has ever lived

Compounds

15 2.0

Legs that are longer than usual and help you run or jump

5 1.4

Legs of a crab often served as food, like king or snow crabs

restless legs
  • Specialized
3 5.7

A strong, uncomfortable need to move the legs at night that keeps you awake

2 3.4

Back legs of frogs cooked and eaten as food that taste like chicken

1 4.0

A condition that makes your legs feel uncomfortable and makes you want to move them at night

long legs
  • Literature
1 6.8

A story or rumor that people keep talking about for a long time

1 9.5

A long-legged black and white bird that wades in shallow ponds and marshes

7.0

Legs that curve outward at the knees so the feet and ankles touch while the knees are apart

elephant legs
  • Informal
6.5

Legs that look very large because of loose clothing

bandy legs
  • Archaic
7.5

Legs that curve outward at the knees and look bowed

A small long creature with many legs like a millipede

How Long

longevity
45 5.5
endurance
77 3.4
staying power
19 5.0
legs
  • Informal
6 7.0
ephemerality
1 8.9

Surface Forms

leg singular
legs plural

Morphology

legs = leg (semi-transparent) = leg + s

The plural suffix is regular, but the sense 'having staying power' is a metaphorical extension from 'leg' as support and so requires figurative inference.

Etymology

The word legs when used in the phrase 'has legs' comes from the simple idea that legs let a person or thing move and go on. A helpful way to remember it is to picture an idea or show with strong 'legs' that can walk on its own, so we say it 'has legs' when it keeps being successful or lasts a long time.