Definition

To use something that already exists rather than building something new, which sounds strategic but usually means "we have no budget." The Swiss Army knife of corporate verbs -- it can mean literally anything.

Example Usage

"Let's leverage our existing assets," suggested the director, which in this case meant making the intern do it because they were technically an existing asset.

Related Terms

Beginner

pet project

An initiative someone powerful is personally invested in, making it politically untouchable regardless of merit or ROI. Where rational resource allocation goes to die.

💼 Corporate / Business
Advanced

gamma

The rate of change in an option's delta relative to the underlying asset's price movement. It's the derivative of a derivative, because one Greek letter measuring risk wasn't nearly confusing enough for options traders.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Beginner

Equity

The theoretical money trapped inside your walls that everyone talks about but you can never actually touch without borrowing against it. It's like Monopoly money that your house keeps score with.

💰 Finance / Accounting🏠 Real Estate
Beginner

working capital

Current assets minus current liabilities—the money available to fund daily operations without selling the furniture. Positive working capital means you can pay your bills; negative means start selling that furniture.

💰 Finance / Accounting
Beginner

accountability

The corporate principle that someone, somewhere, should theoretically be responsible for outcomes, though determining exactly who remains mysteriously elusive during crisis moments. This obligation to answer for results and maintain accurate records sounds great in mission statements but often vanishes faster than donuts in a breakroom. It's the business world's favorite buzzword that everyone demands but few actually practice.

💼 Corporate / Business
Intermediate

organic growth

Business expansion through internal development rather than acquisitions or mergers—the slow, sustainable way to grow that executives hate explaining to impatient shareholders. Building instead of buying.

💼 Corporate / Business

Translate This Term

See “Leverage” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.

Try the Translator

Share This Term

Post on XShare on FacebookShare on LinkedIn

Discover a Term

Intermediate

glutamate

A naturally occurring amino acid that moonlights as the secret weapon in savory foods, responsible for that addictive um...