His tail helped him balance as he leaped.

Meaning: The monkey used its tail to stay steady while it jumped from tree to tree.

Choice of Words: Tail is the long, thin part of an animal's body that grows from its back. Balance means to keep oneself steady and upright. Leaped means to jump or spring suddenly.

Alternative Expressions

His tail was like a rudder as he leaped.

Meaning: This means that the animal's tail helped it to move and jump in the direction it wanted to go.

Choice of Words: Rudder is a flat piece of metal or wood attached to the back of a boat or ship that is used to steer it. When you say "His tail was like a rudder," it means that the animal's tail acted like a rudder, helping it to steer and balance while it jumped.

His tail acted as a counterweight as he leaped.

Meaning: This means that the animal's tail helped to keep its body from tipping over as it jumped.

Choice of Words: Counterweight is a weight that is placed on the opposite side of a lever or other object to balance it. When you say "His tail acted as a counterweight," it means that the animal's tail helped to balance its body as it jumped.

Related Expressions