lean into

English

Verb

lean into (third-person singular simple present leans into, present participle leaning into, simple past and past participle leaned into or leant into)

1. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see lean,‎ into.
   • 2009, Howard Derek Evans, A Myofascial Approach to Thai Massage, →ISBN:

     When we work a line with our thumbs we lean into it with our bodyweight.

   • 2010, Neta Jackson, Who Do I Lean On?, →ISBN, page 158:

     I tried to imagine how it would feel to lean into his embrace, feel his arms around me . .

2. To make an effort with; to work hard at; to show determination and perseverance.
   • 2005, Susan Edsall, Into the Blue: A Father's Flight and a Daughter's Return, →ISBN:

     Hartman leaned into his work like he would lean into a winter blizzard, Grandma's tearful conniptions merely the whining of the wind.

   • 2011, Grey E. Larsen, The Essential Tin Whistle Toolbox, →ISBN:

     Just as a fiddler can “lean into” the bow, you can “lean into” the breath.

   • 2012, Nicholson Baker, The Way the World Works: Essays, →ISBN, page 56:

     And then you begin to lean into it, applying a little attentive pressure, and the early pages begin to curl back with a soft, radish-slicing sound, and you're in. You're in the book.

3. To embrace; to experience fully or respond to wholeheartedly.
   • 2003, Don Everts, Douglas Scott, Jesus with Dirty Feet Discussion Guide, →ISBN:

     But we also threw in the third question to help people lean into their own feelings and experiences.

   • 2005, Jack Canfield, The Success Principles:

     Oftentimes, success happens when you just lean into it—when you make yourself open to opportunities and are willing to do what it takes to pursue it further—without a contract, without a promise of success, without any expectation whatsoever.

   • 2006, Rayn Roberts, Of One and Many Worlds, →ISBN, page 73:

     I lean into the questions, they lean into me when Suddenly, I see a young couple on a rock...

   • 2012, Tammy Feil, Journey with God Part 2: Trusting in the Father's Heart, →ISBN, page 57:

     I need to be reminded over and over again that I never really experience His unfailing love until I lean into Him in trust.

   • 2020 July 20, Bidisha, “Why is cosmetic surgery on the rise? Because of hours staring at ourselves on Zoom”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     Given that we’re all going off-piste lifestyle wise, and that Zoom and working from home may become the long-term norm, I suggest we lean into it.

4. To take on or embrace something difficult or unpleasant, usually through determination or perseverance; to find a way to benefit from, or alleviate the harm of, risk, uncertainty and difficult situations.
   • 1998, William Wallace, Living Again: A Personal Journey for Surviving Spouses, →ISBN, page 108:

     In other words, you will pay not just later, but more. Lean into your discomfort.

   • 2005, Martha Beck, Wisdom from Finding Your Own North Star, →ISBN, page 47:

     There's nothing to do but mourn, and the pain will disappear a lot faster if you lean into it.

   • 2005, Larry Axelrod, Rowland Johnson, Turning Conflict Into Profit: A Roadmap for Resolving Personal and Organizational Disputes, →ISBN, page 206:

     We can then emerge from despair and become inspired to lean into the conflict in order to effectively protect and pursue our interests.

   • 2012, Steven C. Hayes, Rule-Governed Behavior, →ISBN:

     Rather, we are asking the client to lean into the symptoms; we encourage them not only to stop struggling but seemingly to embrace the very things that they most dread.

See also

• lean in

Anagrams

• Neo Latin, Neo-Latin, neo-Latin, nolanite