To parlay something means to take what you have and turn it into something much bigger or better. If you parlay a small success into a larger one, you're using that first achievement as a stepping stone to something greater.

Picture a student who parlays their talent for drawing into a school-wide art project, or an entrepreneur who parlays a small lawn-mowing business into a landscaping company. They're building on what they already have, using momentum and opportunity to grow.

The word is also used in gambling, where you take your winnings from one bet and risk them on another bet, hoping to multiply your money. In everyday use, parlay means strategic growth beyond the gambling context. An athlete might parlay their college success into a professional career. A writer might parlay a popular blog into a book deal.

The key idea is transformation through smart leverage. You actively use what you have to create something more valuable. When someone parlays an opportunity, they recognize its potential and act to expand it. This can take courage and vision, since parlaying sometimes means putting what you've gained at risk for the chance at something even better.