not have a leg to stand on—(of an argument, opinion, etc.) be not supported by facts or sound reasons:
- He said that the government did not have a leg to stand on in regard to that bill.
not have the legs —(of a ball in golf ) have not enough momentum to reach the desired point:
- I thought my shot had reached the green but it didn’t quite have the legs.
Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase find one’s legs—(also: find one’s feet)
1. acquire the power of walking steadily:
- We spent a week on board and after the first day we were able to find our legs even when the boat rolled.
2. (also: feel one’s feet) get confidence; be able to act independently:
- New teachers in their first year or so are still very much in the process of finding their legs.