ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Partial leverage

So, let's say your parents bought you a toy car that you can drive around in. Normally, you use your feet to move the car, but sometimes you need help going uphill. Your dad can push you from behind to help you up the hill.

In finance, "leverage" means getting help like this - getting a little extra push to make things easier. Partial leverage means you're only getting a little bit of help, not a whole lot.

Let's say you're trying to buy a toy that costs $50. You have $40 saved up, but you still need to make up the difference to buy the toy. You could call a rich aunt or uncle and ask them for the whole $10, but maybe they're not feeling generous. Instead, you ask them for $5, but you still have to pay back the rest yourself. That's partial leverage.

In finance, partial leverage means getting a loan or borrowing some money to help pay for something, but not borrowing the entire amount needed. This way you can still have some control and responsibility over the situation, but you also get some help to make things easier.