forward-leaning

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English

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Alternative forms

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Pronunciation

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Adjective

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forward-leaning (comparative more forward-leaning, superlative most forward-leaning)

  1. (chiefly US, idiomatic) Disposed to take action or to exercise initiative; aggressive; bold.
    • 1987 August 26, “Quotation of the Day”, in New York Times, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      "I got a little too rambunctious, like a colt that got out of the barn to play, and I pulled myself in. I didn't do it all myself. My task force lawyer was whispering like Jiminy Cricket in my ear. I probably got us a little too far forward leaning at one point in time and then pulled us back." - Alan Fiers, a C.I.A. official, on secretly aiding Nicaraguan rebels. (A2:2.)
    • 2005 January 7, Rupert Cornwell, “We do not torture, insists Bush's choice for attorney general”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      He denied ever using the phrase "forward-leaning" (a euphemism at the Pentagon for the most coercive techniques) over torture policy.
    • 2016 February 26, Lolita C. Baldor, “U.S. military targets ISIS propaganda in aggressive cyberwar”, in The Star, Canada, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      “He was right to say they could be more forward leaning about what they could possibly do against ISIS,” said James Lewis, a cybersecurity expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
  2. (idiomatic) Innovative, cutting-edge, progressive, visionary.
    • 2004 April 4, Daniel Ginsberg, “For Brahms Requiem, a Whole New 'Reading'”, in Washington Post, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      The 52-year-old Nagano has made a career on fiery yet polished accounts of edgy contemporary music. [] Nagano works frequently with forward-leaning composers like Rihm.
    • 2011 February 17, Helena Bachmann, “How a New Swiss Law Can Help Egypt Get Its Money Back”, in Time, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      Now Switzerland is a trailblazer in the quest to return stolen assets to developing nations. "Passing such a forward-leaning law is not easy," says Mark Vlasic, a professor at Georgetown University.
    • 2017 September 13, Hannah Boland, “Business: Hammond warns Brussels 'land grab' would mean 'poorer quality, higher priced' financial services across EU”, in Telegraph, UK, retrieved 12 October 2018:
      However, he said the UK would not pander to “protectionist agendas, disguised as arguments about financial stability” and would instead address concerns by “forward-leaning proposals for greater transparency, cooperation, and agreed standards based on international norms”.

Usage notes

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