Collocations for lever - noun

brake, control, gear, shift (AmE)
safety

move, press, pull, push, release, set
To release the brake, pull the lever.
Push the gear lever into first.
The machine will stop immediately once the lever is released.
Set all three levers to the 0 position.

by a lever, by means of a lever
The machine is operated by means of a lever.

the position of the lever

powerful, useful

act as, be, give sb, provide (sb with), serve as
use sth as

lever against
If this allegation is true, it will give us a useful lever against him.

lever for
This could serve as a powerful lever for peace.