Is the trendy use of “lean” legit? The phrasal verb “lean into” means to embrace or commit to something, a usage that has been around since the mid-20th century. While only two standard dictionaries have embraced this usage, the Oxford Dictionary of English and the New Oxford American Dictionary both define “lean into” as “commit fully to or embrace something.” This usage originated in the US and means “to accept and embrace an experience; to commit to or fully engage with a role, task, or undertaking.”
The term “lean in” also appeared in the US in the early 21st century and means “to become fully engaged with something; to commit oneself completely to a role, task, or undertaking, especially in the face of difficulty or resistance.” This term was popularized by US business executive Sheryl Sandberg’s book “Lean In” (2013).
The use of “lean” with “on,” “upon,” or by itself to mean rely on dates back to Middle English in the 12th century. The chorus from Bill Withers’ song “Lean on Me” exemplifies this usage.
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