long leg: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical (finance, sports), descriptive (anatomy)
Quick answer
What does “long leg” mean?
The literal anatomical leg of a person or animal that is longer than average.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The literal anatomical leg of a person or animal that is longer than average; the longer of two legs.
In finance, one part of a multi-legged financial transaction (e.g., a straddle or strangle in options trading) where the trader holds a position that will profit if the price moves in one direction, often paired with a 'short leg' representing the opposite position. In cricket, the fielding position behind and to the leg side of the batter.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily in sporting contexts: 'Long leg' is a recognized fielding position in UK cricket. No direct US sports equivalent. The financial term is used identically in both variants.
Connotations
Neutral/descriptive in literal use; specialised/jargonistic in technical use.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse. Highest frequency in specialist finance and cricket publications.
Grammar
How to Use “long leg” in a Sentence
[Subject] has a long leg.[Trader] established a long leg of the straddle.[Player] was positioned at long leg.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
In options trading, the long leg of a strangle represents the purchased out-of-the-money option.
Academic
The study compared gait efficiency between individuals with one long leg and matched controls.
Everyday
After the accident, one leg healed slightly longer than the other, giving him a subtle limp.
Technical
The fielder at long leg moved squarer to cut off the glance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “long leg”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “long leg”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “long leg”
- Using 'long leg' as an adjective (e.g., 'a long-leg man') instead of a compound noun ('a long leg' or 'the long-leg position').
- Confusing 'long leg' with 'long in the leg' (a clothing measurement).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is most commonly a technical term in finance (derivatives trading) and cricket.
Yes, especially when used as a modifier before a noun (e.g., 'the long-leg position') or as a fixed compound in sports/finance terminology.
The 'short leg'. In a multi-legged strategy, the short leg is the option position that is sold (written).
No, there is no verb derived from this noun phrase. It is only used nominally.
The literal anatomical leg of a person or animal that is longer than average.
Long leg is usually technical (finance, sports), descriptive (anatomy) in register.
Long leg: in British English it is pronounced /ˌlɒŋ ˈleɡ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌlɔːŋ ˈleɡ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cricket fielder standing a 'long' way back on the 'leg' side of the pitch.
Conceptual Metaphor
POSITION/ADVANTAGE AS HEIGHT/LENGTH ('Having a long leg up in the competition' is related, but not this exact phrase).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'long leg' most likely NOT be used?