Are you looking for some useful foot idioms?
You are in the right place.
In this post, we will discuss 55 foot idioms that will make you sound like a native English speaker.
1. To Put One’s Best Foot Forward
- Meaning: to make a good first impression.
- Use In A Sentence: I told Mark he needs to put his best foot forward if he wants to do well on the job interview.
2. To Be Caught On The Wrong Foot
- Meaning: to be caught by surprise or to not be ready for something because it happened so suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Use In A Sentence: It seems I caught Diane on the wrong foot when she answered the door in her pajamas.
3. To Bind/Tie Someone Hand And Foot
- Meaning: to restrict a person’s freedom to do something.
- Use In A Sentence: Mark is bound hand and foot by his new contract. He can’t take a vacation for at least six months.
4. To Have A Foot In Both Camps
- Meaning: to support two opposing groups of people.
- Use In A Sentence: I don’t know if I trust Joe’s judgment, he has a foot in both camps.
5. To Have/Get A Foot In The Door
- Meaning: a chance to do something that oftentimes will lead to more opportunities.
- Use In A Sentence: I think you should work for John. It may not pay the most money, but it is a good way to get your foot in the door and possibly get a better job in the future.
6. To Foot The Bill
- Meaning: to pay for something.
- Use In A Sentence: I went to lunch with Jack this afternoon and he foot the bill.
7. To Get Off / Start Off On The Right Foot
- Meaning: a positive start. To start something or begin something well.
- Use In A Sentence: In order to start off on the right foot, get to know your co-workers as soon as possible.
8. To Get Off / Start Off On The Wrong Foot
- Meaning: an unfavorable start or beginning of something. To have a bad start
- Use In A Sentence: I got off on the wrong foot by telling my mother-in-law that I wanted to live far away from here.
9. To Have A Lead Foot
- Meaning: used to describe a person that tends to drive fast.
- Use In A Sentence: Tommy is known to have a lead foot. I have no doubt we will get to Milwaukee by the 6 o’clock deadline.
10. To Have The Shoe On The Other Foot
- Meaning: a situation where the opposite is true. When someone’s situation has changed into another person’s situation.
- Use In A Sentence: Before Mark always had health problems, but now the shoe is on the other foot and I am the one with all the health problems.
11. My Foot!
- Meaning: an expression used to express disbelief.
- Use In A Sentence: A ninety-nine dollar seafood platter? My foot! I don’t have ninety nine dollars to spend on a meal!
12. To Not Put/Set A Foot Wrong
- Meaning: used to describe someone who seems not to make any mistakes.
- Use In A Sentence: My brother never puts a foot wrong in my mother’s eyes.
13. To Have One Foot In The Grave
- Meaning: Someone who is very sick or very old and is going to die very soon.
- Use In A Sentence: The doctor says he has one foot in the grave and he probably won’t last much longer.
14. On Foot
- Meaning: to travel by walking.
- Use In A Sentence: My truck broke down so I had to go to work on foot.
15. To Put One’s Foot Down
- Meaning: to take a firm stand on something. To be unyielding.
- Use In A Sentence: I put my foot down and told them that I was not going to the party.
16. To Put One’s Foot To The Floor
- Meaning: to drive quickly.
- Use In A Sentence: I had to put my foot to the floor to make it to the movies on time.
17. To Put One Foot In Front Of The Other
- Meaning: to do something carefully and deliberately.
- Use In A Sentence: Don’t worry. There is nothing to be concerned about. Let’s just focus on putting one foot in front of the other and I am sure everything will be okay.
18. To Put One’s Foot In One’s Mouth
- Meaning: to say something you regret. Usually something hurtful or stupid.
- Use In A Sentence: Mario always puts his foot in his mouth. His wife continually reminds him to think before he speaks.
19. Set Foot In/On Something
- Meaning: to visit a place.
- Use In A Sentence: Are you excited about your trip? Yes, I have never set foot in Germany before.
20. To Shoot Oneself In The Foot
- Meaning: to inadvertently ruin your plans/progress/success by something one says or does.
- Use In A Sentence: I shot myself in the foot when I told my boss what I really thought.
21. To Wait On Somebody Hand And Foot
- Meaning: to do everything for someone.
- Use In A Sentence: His mother waits on him hand and foot. He doesn’t have to do anything.
22. To Be On The Back Foot
- Meaning: to be in an unfavorable position. To retreat.
- Use In A Sentence: My plan to buy a new house has been on the back foot ever since I lost my jobs.
23. Blisterfoot
- Meaning: used to describe someone who spends a lot of time walking.
- Use In A Sentence: The blisterfoot soliders were tired after a long day of work.
24. From Head To Foot/Toe
- Meaning: one’s entire body.
- Use In A Sentence: After his morning walk, our dog Sulley was covered from head to toe in mud.
25. To Live Under The Cat’s Foot
- Meaning: to be nagged by another person.
- Use In A Sentence: Tom has been living under the cat’s foot ever since the day he got married.
26. To Hotfoot It
- Meaning: to walk somewhere as quickly as possible.
- Use In A Sentence: We need to hotfoot it out of here before the teacher comes back into the classroom.
27. Fleet Of Foot
- Meaning: to be able to run quickly.
- Use In A Sentence: Cindy who was known to be a fleet of foot outran the other competitors and won the race.
28. Foot In Mouth Disease
- Meaning: used to describe someone who tends to say the wrong thing at the wrong time.
- Use In A Sentence: Jessica suffers from foot in mouth disease.
29. To Have One’s Foot On Someone’s Neck
- Meaning: to be in a position of control over somebody.
- Use In A Sentence: It appears Dave had his foot on Mark’s neck during the negotiations.
30. Flatfoot
- Meaning: used to describe a person who is clumsy and awkward.
- Use In A Sentence: I don’t know if I would want Sally to carry that glass table. She is so flatfooted!
31. To Foot Up
- Meaning: to add something; to total.
- Use In A Sentence: Jerry asked Michelle to foot up the costs of the project.
32. Footloose And Fancy-Free
- Meaning: to do whatever you want without any commitments or obligations. It is usually used to refer to relationship commitments.
- Use In A Sentence: Now that she broke up with Steve she is footloose and fancy-free.
33. To Get A Foothold On Something
- Meaning: to be in a stable position so as to progress.
- Use In A Sentence: Taking this job has really helped him get a foothold in the marketing industry.
34. To Have Both Feet On The Ground
- Meaning: to be grounded. To have a realistic viewpoint about one’s goals or ideas.
- Use In A Sentence: I enjoyed talking with Steve about his plans for the future. He seems to have both feet on the ground.
35. To Be At Someone’s Feet
- Meaning: to be fascinated by someone and thus being influenced by them.
- Use In A Sentence: As a young child, he was always at his father’s feet.
36. To Drag One’s Feet
- Meaning: to move slowly because one does not want to do something.
- Use In A Sentence: Will you quit dragging your feet. Go upstairs and wash your hands for dinner.
37. To Be Light On Your Feet
- Meaning: to be able to move quickly and gracefully.
- Use In A Sentence: I knew he liked to play sports, but I never expected him to be so light on his feet on the dance floor.
38. To Be Run Off One’s Feet
- Meaning: used to describe someone who is very busy.
- Use In A Sentence: Sue was run off her feet with the school girls visiting.
39. To Get Rushed Off One’s Feet
- Meaning: to be worked very hard so that one is especially busy.
- Use In A Sentence: We are going to have 25 people at our house tonight. Everyone is going to get rushed off their feet.
40. To Get Cold Feet
- Meaning: to be anxious or nervous about doing something new, usually at the last minute.
- Use In A Sentence: Billy always told me he wanted to ride the new roller coaster, but after he saw how big it was he got cold feet and decided not to go.
41. To Come To One’s Feet
- Meaning: to stand up usually to applaud or to cheer.
- Use In A Sentence: Suddenly the entire audience came to their feet and they started singing
42. To Be Dead On One’s Feet
- Meaning: to be extremely tired to the point of falling asleep while on your feet.
- Use In A Sentence: After working a double shift he was dead on his feet.
43. To Land On One’s Feet
- Meaning: to successfully deal with a difficult situation.
- Use In A Sentence: I wouldn’t worry about Stephanie. Even in the most difficult situations she always tends to land on her feet.
44. To Get One’s Feet Wet
- Meaning: to try something new for the first time.
- Use In A Sentence: Larry got his feet wet in the cleaning business by working with his older brother.
45. To Get/Have Itchy Feet
- Meaning: to have the urge (itch) to travel, change jobs, move or break away from the same daily routine.
- Use In A Sentence: Fernando has a hard time keeping a job for a long time. After a few years, he gets itchy feet to move somewhere else.
46. To Have Clay Feet
- Meaning: to have a weakness.
- Use In A Sentence: Even though Hollywood stars seem to be perfect they too have clay feet.
47. To Jump In With Both Feet
- Meaning: to start something enthusiastically.
- Use In A Sentence: Corey was hesitant about the new job. However, Ryan jumped in with both feet.
48. To Pull The Carpet / Rug Out From One’s Feet
- Meaning: to suddenly, unexpectedly remove the help or assistance from someone.
- Use In A Sentence: I would love to quit my job and start my own business, but I can’t just pull the carpet out from their feet like that.
49. To Regain One’s Feet
- Meaning: to stand up after falling down. It can also mean to recover from a financial problem.
- Use In A Sentence: I helped Megan regain her feet after she fell on the ground.
50. To Stand On One’s Own Two Feet
- Meaning: to be independent, no longer needing assistance or support from other people.
- Use In A Sentence: After losing his job, Gary’s parents helped him out until he was able to stand on his own two feet.
51. To Shake The Dust Off one’s Feet
- Meaning: to leave a situation indignantly or disdainfully.
- Use In A Sentence: The best thing you can do when someone hurts you is to shake the dust off your feet and move on.
52. To Sweep One Off One’s Feet
- Meaning: to quickly and oftentimes unexpectedly charm someone.
- Use In A Sentence: All women want a man who can sweep them off their feet.
53. To Think On Your Feet
- Meaning: to think quickly. To think clearly in a difficult situation.
- Use In A Sentence: I was glad Dan was able to think on his feet and come up with a solution so quickly. Without him, we wouldn’t have finished on time.
54. To Take A Load Off One’s Feet
- Meaning: to sit down and rest; to lie down.
- Use In A Sentence: I think you just need to go home and take a load off your feet.
55. To Vote With One’s Feet
- Meaning: To show your disapproval by walking away.
- Use In A Sentence: If they don’t like the coffee shop they will vote with their feet and go somewhere else.
There you have it! 55 Foot idioms. Which one is your favorite?
Foot idioms
>Пришло время для интересных идиом, которые можно легко и быстро выучить, а затем использовать их в общении с иностранными друзьями, показывая свою просвещенность и образованность. В данной статье мы познакомим вас с выражениями, связанными со словом «нога» или «ноги». Итак, начнем.
1. Cold feet – дословно «холодные ноги». Но не все так просто. Дело в том, что «cold feet» означает «трусость» , а если нужно сказать, что кто-то струсил, мы скажем «he got cold feet» (в русском языке есть похожее выражение — «сердце в пятки ушло»)
- On seeing bandits the poor man got cold feet and ran away as fast as he could – увидев бандитов, бедняга перепугался и дал деру.
Еще одним значением «cold feet» является «колебаться в последний решающий момент», как например перед свадьбой. В деловом английском это выражение означает «не желать заключать сделку».
2. to get your foot in the door – «просунуть ногу в дверь» — это выражение означает «иметь возможность/шанс зацепиться за какую-то работу, или сделать первый шаг в сторону новых отношений» . В деловом английском это выражение переводится как «сделать первый шаг в развитии деловых отношений». Также это выражение можно трактовать как «согласиться на худшую работу, чтобы впоследствии перейти на лучшую», — в любом случае – это «первый шаг» в любом деле.
- You will not get ahead by sitting at home. Take this job and get your foot in the door. – ты не продвинешься, если будешь дома сидеть. Зацепись за эту работу и сделай первый шаг в своей карьере.
3. to put your foot in the mouth – дословно «засунуть ногу в рот» (помните — «в рот мне ноги!» :-)) . А значит это вот что – «ляпнуть что-то, не подумав», «попасть впросак».
- When I asked the fat woman where she was going to have her child I really put my feet in the mouth, as she was not pregnant – когда я спросила толстую женщину, где она собирается рожать, я попала впросак, т.к. она не была беременна.
4. shoes on the other foot – это выражение означает, что обстоятельства изменились и ответственность теперь лежит на другом.
- You can’t take the decision alone — now shoes are on the other foot – вы не можете самостоятельно принимать решение – обстоятельства изменились.
5. to put your foot down – принимать твердое решение, решительно воспротивиться, занять твердую позицию.
- She has put her foot down and will never marry him – она приняла твердое решение и никогда не выйдет за него.
Foot Idioms: Do you happen to know the meaning of having an itchy foot or getting cold feet? If yes, then brilliant, but if no, then you’ve come to the right place. This article talks about various foot idioms, including itchy foot idiom and cold feet idiom.
In the English language, there are numerous idioms on different topics. Idioms on toes and feet are also present in a considerable number. If you are an excellent native English language speaker, these idioms will help you hold a fluent conversation.
Enrich your Vocabulary by practicing the English Idioms that are commonly used in everyday conversations and understand their actual meaning.
Since there are many idioms related to the foot, it becomes pretty challenging to keep track of them with their meanings. One might get confused if they are asked to make a foot phrase meaning correctly. Hence for easy remembrance, a list of foot idioms and their proper meaning and examples is provided to you in this article.
- Meaning and Examples of some commonly used Foot Idioms
List of Foot Idioms
- Get your feet wet
- Take the
- load off your feet
- Dead on my feet
- Cold feet
- Find your feet
- Get itchy feet
- Stand on your own two feet
- Sweep someone off their feet
- Think on your feet
- Put one’s foot in one’s mouth
- Put one’s best foot forward
- Be caught on the wrong foot
- Have a foot in both camps
- Get a foot in the door
- Foot the bill
- Start on the right foot
- Have a lead foot
- The shoe on the other foot
- My foot!
- Not put a foot wrong
- Have one foot in the grave
- On foot
- Have the world at one’s feet
- Walk someone off their feet
- Vote with one’s feet
- Under someone’s feet
- Two left feet
- Throw oneself at someone’s feet
- The patter of tiny feet
- Shake the dust from one’s feet
- Sit at one’s feet
- Regain feet
- Put one’s feet up
- Don’t let the grass grow under one’s feet
- Keep both feet on the ground
- Drag one’s feet
- A closed mouth gathers no feet
- Tread on one’s toe
- Pull the rug from under one’s feet
- Feet of clay
- Put one’s foot down
- Shoot oneself in the foot
Meaning and Examples of some commonly used
Get your feet wet
Meaning: To slowly and simply doing a new activity to get oneself accustomed to it.
Example: Jinal finally decided to get her feet wet and start doing yoga.
Take the load off your feet
Meaning: This idiom describes the action of relaxing oneself by sitting or lying down.
Example: After walking for a mile, Molly decided to sit down and take the load off her feet.
Dead on my feet
Meaning: This phrase is utilized when someone is tired yet is continuing to stand or work.
Example: The band were dead on their feet but yet went on performing in the concert.
Cold feet
Meaning: This phrase is utilized when one is uncertain and feels afraid about doing something or lacks courage and confidence.
Example: Troy wanted to participate in the dance competition, but he got cold feet.
Find your feet
Meaning: This idiom describes the situation when one starts feeling comfortable and gains confidence in a new environment or situation.
Example: Julia finally found her feet in America after getting settled.
Get itchy feet
Meaning: This phrase is used when one gets a strong desire to travel somewhere, leaving behind the place they are in.
Example: Due to the pandemic, Gargi couldn’t travel anywhere, but now she has itchy feet and wants to travel.
Stand on your own two feet
Meaning: Used when an individual can support and fund oneself with all their needs without any help from anyone.
Example: Before marriage, I want to stand on my own two feet so that I don’t have to depend on my husband.
Sweep someone off their feet
Meaning: When an individual is successful in attracting another individual towards them in a romantic way.
Example: Jim’s unconditional love and sweet gestures swept Pam off her feet.
Think on your feet
Meaning: This idiom describes the situation where an individual reacts very quickly, keep one’s mind steady, and agile.
Example: During the quiz round, everyone tried their best to think on their feet.
Put one’s foot in one’s mouth
Meaning: This phrase is used when someone does or says something stupid and embarrassing.
Example: Well, we can’t really do anything about it this time. Seriously, when will you get out of the habit of putting your foot in your mouth?
Put one’s best foot forward
Meaning: This phrase is utilized when someone is on their best behavior because they want to gain someone’s approval.
Example: I put my best foot forward for the whole week and convinced my parents of the road trip.
Be caught on the wrong foot
Meaning: This idiom describes the situation when someone is astonished or amazed by something that happens quickly and unpredictably.
Example: She was caught on the wrong foot when he showed up at the airport and proposed to her.
Have a foot in both camps
Meaning: The above phrase refers to someone who prefers to support two opposing sides or belongs to two different groups.
Example: Since both of Olivia’s best friends led two different campaigns, she had her foot in both camps.
Get a foot in the door
Meaning: This idiom means to make the first or initial step towards one’s goal.
Example: Tessa got a foot in the door by finally pursuing the career she wanted.
Foot the bill
Meaning: When one pays for a specific thing which is usually very costly.
Example: Mark decided to take his parents to dinner, and he foots the bill with his first salary.
Start on the right foot
Meaning: This idiom describes the action of making a good impression of oneself before starting a relationship or any activity.
Example: He was very tense before meeting his girlfriend’s parents since he needed to start on the right foot.
Have a lead foot
Meaning: This phrase is utilized to refer to someone who drives dangerously fast in a car.
Example: Elena refused to go with Damon in a car since he has a lead foot and gets into accidents quite frequently
The shoe on the other foot
Meaning: This phrase is used when a particular situation changes to the opposite of what it was.
Example: Every year on Christmas, Angela receives more gifts, but this year the shoe was on the other foot, and her sister received more donations.
My foot!
Meaning: Used to show disapproval regarding something.
Example: “Important work, my foot, he just wants to avoid us,” Henry said when he heard Chris wouldn’t be joining them for the movie.
Not put a foot wrong
Meaning: To not make any mistakes or do anything wrong.
Example: While painting on the vast canvas, Yatora tried his best to not put a foot wrong.
Have one foot in the grave
Meaning: This phrase is utilized when someone is near their death due to illness or simply old age.
Example: When Peter suffered from pneumonia, he thought his one foot was in the grave.
On foot
Meaning: This phrase is used when one prefers walking upon traveling by car or other transportation.
Example: The group of friends decided to explore the surroundings of their new travel destination on foot.
Have the world at one’s feet
Meaning: Used to refer to an highly successful individual and is admired by a considerable number of people.
Example: Even though the band started slow, they had the world at their feet due to their hard work.
Walk someone off their feet
Meaning: Make someone exhausted and tired by making them walk a lot.
Example: While shopping, Cristina and her mom walked off their feet.
Vote with one’s feet
Meaning: This phrase is used to show that one is against supporting a particular organization or product, or a decision by walking off from the organization, or not buying the product, or leaving the place of the decision.
Example: The class showed voted off their feet and left the classroom as we chose the new head boy.
Under someone’s feet
Meaning: Used when someone is annoyed and irritated or is unable to do something they wanted because of the presence of a specific individual near them.
Example: Because Ginny was under my feet the whole week, I couldn’t go shopping.
Two left feet
Meaning: This expression refers to someone who dances in a very awkward and clumsy way.
Example: During the wedding dance rehearsal, John understood his wife had two left feet.
Throw oneself at someone’s feet
Meaning: To ask for forgiveness and mercy or help and protection from someone.
Example: Nick hurriedly came and threw himself at Amy’s feet, promising her never to repeat his mistakes.
The patter of tiny feet
Meaning: This phrase is utilized when someone is going to have a baby.
Example: The family impatiently waits to hear the patter of tiny feet.
Shake the dust from one’s feet
Meaning: Leave from an unpleasant situation or place hurriedly, never to return again.
Example: Veronica was growing impatient at the family gathering and wanted to shake the dust from her feet as fast as possible.
Sit at one’s feet
Meaning: This expression is utilized when someone is learning something from an individual or following an individual’s instructions.
Example: Bill sat at Henry’s feet after he saw Henry playing golf fantastically.
Regain feet
Meaning: To steadily stand up on one’s feet after falling or tumbling.
Example: She was going to fall off the stairs, but at the last moment, she regained her feet.
Put one’s feet up
Meaning: This idiom is used when one finally relaxes by giving their footrest after working consistently.
Example: Victoria deserves to put her feet up because she completed a whole load of work during the week.
Don’t let the grass grow under one’s feet
Meaning: To not sit idly and waste time and instead work.
Example: The teacher asked her students, “don’t let the grass grow under your feet; start doing your homework and revise your chapters.”
Keep both feet on the ground
Meaning: This phrase is used when one maintains their poised and calm demeanor and views everything efficiently and sensibly.
Example: George always keeps both feet on the ground. I have never seen him lose his calm.
Drag one’s feet
Meaning: When one does something very slowly and reluctantly, making it evident that they are not interested in doing it.
Example: Clint had to drag Vanessa’s feet in order to take her out of her house.
A closed mouth gathers no feet
Meaning: This idiom means that if someone remains quiet, then they will not have to worry about saying something embarrassing or wrong.
Example: Georgia knew she would end up saying something wrong, and hence she decided to remain quiet since a closed mouth gathers no feet.
Tread on one’s toe
Meaning: This idiom is used when someone offends an individual by interfering in their matters or trying to take up their responsibilities in a specific area.
Example: Julia offended her colleague by treading on her colleague’s toe regarding the presentation.
Pull the rug from under one’s feet
Meaning: The sudden removal of support or the assistance provided by someone.
Example: By leaving so suddenly, Jim pulled the rug from under Pam’s feet.
Feet of clay
Meaning: This expression is utilized to refer to a person who possesses a flaw that they keep hidden.
Example: It is very accurate when one says that every human being has a foot of clay.
Put one’s foot down
Meaning: When one firmly denies doing something or refuses to accept something.
Example: He was really pissed at Gina, and he decided to put his foot down from the wedding.
Shoot oneself in the foot
Meaning: This phrase is used when one ends up foolishly saying or doing something that will harm themselves.
Example: Clara realized she shot herself in the foot by not taking up the job offer.
As you (now) know, everything I teach on this blog, Instagram, YouTube, and other teaching platforms is #REALenglish. I use this hashtag to let my learners, to let you, know that what I am teaching you is useful for your everyday English use and conversations. Nothing is ever outdated (*old*) or too formal for conversations. It’s real because it’s used by people like me, a native English speaker.
While I was talking with a friend the other day, they used the idiom, “to get your foot in the door.” I immediately thought, “hmmm, I wonder how many English learners would understand that phrase,” because as you know, idioms can never be interpreted (*understood*) literally. As you will learn below, this idiom does not have anything to do with a door really.
I continued to think about idioms with feet (or foot) and when I reached the sixth one in my head, I knew I had to write you a blog post. So, today you’ll be learning 15 of the most popular idioms with the word feet or foot in it.
Are you ready?
This week doesn’t have a 5 Minute English video, but it does have this bonus video you can get. Click the image above and it’s yours!
1. to find your feet: to get used to a new situation; to get accustomed to it
EX: Lucy started her job last week and is finally finding her feet.
2. to get/start off on the right foot: to begin a relationship well
EX: My best friend and I started off on the right foot; we instantly got along and have been friends since.
3. to get/start off on the wrong foot: to begin a relationship poorly/negatively
EX: Tim and John got off on the wrong foot. One of them said something the other didn’t like, and they haven’t been friends since.
4. to get your feet wet: to start doing something slowly and in a simple way to get used to it
EX: I am starting to teach yoga and I’m just getting my feet wet with 1 class a week.
5. to get your foot in the door: to take the first step towards a goal to make something happen (in a company or in a career field)
EX: Susie wanted to be a lawyer, so she got her foot in the door by being a secretary at a law firm.
6. to get on one’s feet: to get established and set up
EX: It took a while for Mark to get on his feet when he moved out from his parent’s house at 18.
7. to keep your feet on the ground: to be and remain sensible and practical
EX: Harrison Ford is a very famous actor; however, he keeps his feet on the ground (by being sensible and practical).
8. to put your best foot forward: to act/behave in your best way, in an appropriate way so people like and approve of you
EX: You need to put your best foot forward when meeting your new girlfriend’s parents.
9. to put your feet up: to relax; to do nothing
EX: I can’t wait for my vacation at the end of this month because I am going to put my feet up and not do anything!
10. to put your foot down: to react in a very strict or harsh way toward someone; deal with them very strictly
EX: John’s dad had to put his foot down after John stole the car for the 3rd time.
11. to put your foot in your mouth: to say something that causes hurt, embarrassment, or some negative feeling (for another person) without meaning to
EX: I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked John about his dog. I didn’t know he died the day before.
12. to stand on one’s own two feet: to be independent and to support oneself without help
EX: Jessica is finally standing on her own two feet at 20 years old.
13. to sweep someone off their feet: to cause someone to be attracted to you in a romantic way very instantly and strongly.
EX: My husband swept me off my feet when we first met. He was charming, sweet, and funny!
14. to foot the bill: to pay for the check/bill
EX: At dinner last night, I footed the bill.
15. to shoot yourself in the foot: to say/do something that gets yourself in trouble
EX: She shot herself in the foot when she accepted all those responsibilities knowing she couldn’t do them all.
Practice Makes Perfect
How can you memorize these idioms to use in your own conversations? It’s easy, start using them!
1. Can you create your own sentence examples? You can follow my sentence structures, and fill them in with your own information to practice writing/typing the new idioms:
EX: Olivia began her class last year and is finally finding her feet.
You can also practice by changing the verb tense:
EX: Olivia began her class last year and finally found her feet.
**BONUS points if you can make personal sentence examples about yourself. To do that, think about times that you 1) found your feet doing something 2) started off on the right foot with someone 3) started off on the wrong foot with someone etc.. etc…
2. Write discussion questions to practice with a friend, your conversation partner, or classmates.
EX: When have you recently found your feet doing something? Name 3 people you’ve started off on the right foot with. Do you usually foot the bill? etc.. etc..
Start by commenting below answering these questions:
- How do you like to put your feet up?
- Do you keep your feet on the ground? How?
- Have you ever been swept off your feet?
Don’t forget your BONUS video
Good luck everyone, and until next week…
Happy Studying! ♥
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at one’s feet
Under your influence or power.
She had a dozen men at her feet.
Her voice kept audiences at her feet for years.
be back on one’s feet
get back on one’s feet
To once again become financially solvent; regain one’s former status and income, or health.
Снова на ногах; снова стать платежеспособным; восстановить прежнюю форму, статус или здоровье; оправиться от какой-либо беды или несчастья.
Max got back on his feet soon after his open heart surgery. Tom’s business was ruined due to the inflation, but he got back on his feet again.
My mother is back on her feet after being sick for two weeks.
Моя мама снова на ногах после двухнедельной болезни.
Our teacher was back on her feet shortly after the car accident.
Наша учительница была снова на ногах вскоре после аварии.
cold feet
get cold feet
A loss of courage or nerve; a failure or loss of confidence in yourself.
Испугаться, быть взволнованным, не решаться что-то сделать.
Ralph was going to ask Mary to dance with him but he got cold feet and didn’t.
I feel your boyfriend got cold feet about being in a committed relationship.
Я чувствую, твой приятель боится оформлять ваши отношения в виде брака.
Karl was supposed to marry Elaine this weekend, but at the last moment he got cold feet.
Only one of the rock climbers got cold feet when the group reached the base of the hundred-meter cliff.
dead on one’s feet
Very tired but still standing or walking; too tired to do more; exhausted.
Jimmy never leaves a job unfinished. He continues to work even when he’s dead on his feet.
After the soldiers march all night, they are dead on their feet.
drag one’s feet
drag one’s heels
To act slowly or reluctantly.
The children wanted to watch television, and dragged their feet when their mother told them to go to bed.
The city employees said the mayor had promised to raise their pay, but was now dragging his feet.
feet of clay
A hidden fault or weakness in a person which is discovered or shown.
The famous general showed he had feet of clay when he began to drink liquor.
The banker seemed to be honest, but he had feet of clay and was arrested for stealing.
feet on the ground
get one’s feet on the ground
keep one’s feet on the ground
have one’s feet planted firmly in the ground
An understanding of what can be done; sensible ideas. Used with a possessive.
John has his feet on the ground; he knows he cannot learn everything at once.
Ted dreams of sudden riches, but Henry keeps his feet on the ground and expects to work for his money.
Mrs. Smith was a dreamer, but her husband was a man with his feet on the ground.
find one’s tongue
find one’s wings
find one’s feet
To become able to use (some power of the body or mind.)
In the program for the parents, John was nervous and could not speak at first; then he found his tongue.
The young bird had just found its wings.
The baby was just beginning to find his feet.
The question surprised him, and it was a minute before he found his tongue.
- I’ve got itchy feet (У меня тяга к путешествиям)
- I got cold feet (Я сдрейфил)
- I shot myself in the foot (Я сказал глупость, я сделал это себе во вред)
Hello. I’m a very interesting and intelligent man.
And today these feet and I will be teaching you some English idioms.
I bet you’ve never been taught by some feet before.
Привет. Я очень интересный и умный человек.
И сегодня вместе с этими ступнями ног я научу вас некоторым английским идиомам.
Готов спорить, что никогда раньше вы не учились у ступней ног.
Ah, the world. One day I’d like to visit the world.
You see, I haven’t left this room since… um… actually… I’ve never left this room.
Oh But I’d love to travel!!
Arrrrgghhh!
That’s right. I’ve got itchy feet.
In English, if you have a strong feeling that you’d like to travel, we say «I’ve got itchy feet«.
I’ve got itchy feet.
Well maybe I should wash them more often.
Ах, этот мир. Хочу когда-нибудь побывать в нём.
Понимаете ли, я не выходил из этой комнаты уже… гм… получается… не выходил из этой комнаты никогда.
Ох, но с каким бы удовольствием я путешествовал!!
Агххх!
Правильно. У меня «чешутся ступни» (I’ve got itchy feet).
В английском языке, если у вас сильная тяга к путешествиям, могут сказать, что у вас «чешутся ступни» (you’ve got itchy feet).
I’ve got itchy feet. — У меня сильная тяга к путешествиям.
А по-английски — «чешутся ступни». Может, стоит их чаще мыть?
I did try to leave this room once. I planned to visit my dream country… Belgium.
But I suddenly became too frightened to do it.
That’s right, I got cold feet.
In English, if we make a plan, but then decide not to do it because we are too nervous we say «I got cold feet«.
I got cold feet.
Well, perhaps I should buy some socks!
Однажды я пытался выйти из этой комнаты. Хотел побывать в стране своей мечты — Бельгии.
Но неожиданно испугался.
Правильно, у меня «похолодели ноги» (I got cold feet).
В английском языке, если мы отказываемся от своего плана из-за страха или волнения, можем сказать: «У меня похолодели ноги (я сдрейфил) (I got cold feet)».
I got cold feet. — Я сдрейфил.
Может, надо купить ещё одни носки!
Erm, ok friends — a word of advice. NEVER play with guns.
Otherwise… you could shoot yourself in the foot!
In English, if you do something that ruins a situation for you, we say «I shot myself in the foot.«
I shot myself in the foot.
Like that time I ran a Marathon, only instead of drinking water, I drank beer!
Oh, I was completely useless. Ha! I could hardly run in a straight line!
Hang on, wait for me! Wait! Come back! Come back! Come back!
Ну, а теперь, друзья, один совет. НИКОГДА не играйте с пистолетом.
Иначе… можете выстрелить себе в ногу!
В английском языке, если мы делаем что-то себе во вред, то говорим: «Выстрелил себе в ногу (I shot myself in the foot)».
I shot myself in the foot. — Я сделал (сказал) это себе во вред.
Как я, когда бежал марафон и вместо воды пил пиво!
Ох, я был совсем никакой. Ха! Еле мог бежать по прямой линии!
Подождите меня! Подождите! Вернитесь! Вернитесь! Вернитесь!
См. также:
- find one’s feet (встать на ноги, освоиться, обрести самостоятельность, набить руку)
- put one’s feet up (отдохнуть и расслабиться; бездельничать)
- put one’s foot down (занять твердую, решительную позицию, принять твердое решение; проявить твердость, настоять на своем)
- take the weight off one’s feet (дать ногам отдохнуть, присесть; прилечь)
The word feet is used in a large number of idiomatic expressions. Here is a list of them.
Back on your feet
When you are back on your feet you are well after being ill. Or you are successful after experiencing failure.
The doctor said that I would be back on my feet in a few days.
The new measures couldn’t get the business back on its feet.
Be unsteady on your feet
When you are unsteady on your feet, you cannot walk or stand easily.
He must have drunk a little too much. He is still unsteady on his feet.
Get your feet wet
To get your feet wet is to start to do something for the first time.
This three week course won’t make you an expert photographer. It just gives you an opportunity to get your feet wet.
Get to your feet / leap / rise to your feet
To get to your feet is to stand up from a sitting or lying position.
As soon as she heard the whistle, she rose to her feet.
Get off on the right foot with someone
To get off on the right foot with someone is to immediately establish a good relationship with them.
To get off on the wrong foot with someone is to immediately establish a bad relationship with them.
I got off on the right foot with Peter.
Have feet of clay
If someone you admire has feet of clay, they are not perfect.
His fans will have a tough time coming to terms with the fact that their hero had feet of clay.
Have a foot in both camps
When you have a foot in both camps, you are accepted by two groups of people who oppose each other.
Land / fall on your feet
To land on your feet is to get into a good or fortunate situation after being in a bad one.
What is a foot?
The foot is located on the lower part of the leg below the ankle. It helps us to stand and walk. It is an irregular noun and the plural is ‘feet’.
Let’s look at some popular body idioms that contain the word ‘foot’ or ‘feet’.
- back on one’s feet
meaning – healthy again after being unwell or have money after being in financial difficulties
example – Libby has a job; she’ll be back on her feet in a few months. - don’t let the grass grow under one’s feet
meaning – hurry, act now, don’t wait
example – Brian is a useless employee. We’ve lost so much business by him letting the grass grow. - drag one’s feet/heels
meaning – be reluctant to do something, be deliberately slow
example – My son won’t tidy his room, he’s dragging his feet. I guess he doesn’t want pocket money. - find one’s feet
meaning – gain experience/confidence
example – I’ve been in the country for a month, and I feel like I’ve found my feet - follow in one’s father’s footsteps
meaning – do the same job as your father
example – Nigel doesn’t want to follow in his father’s footsteps, he wants to be a pilot. - foot in mouth disease
meaning – say inappropriate/insensitive things at the wrong time
example – Please don’t let Andy speak to the clients, he’s got foot in mouth disease. - foot the bill
meaning – pay for something
example – My generous parents have footed the bill. I am debt free. - get cold feet
meaning – get nervous and change one’s mind about doing something
example – I didn’t compete in the singing competition, I saw the audience and got cold feet. - get off on the wrong foot
meaning – begin a friendship badly
example – I always get off on the wrong foot with people. I think I come across a little arrogant. - have itchy feet
meaning – have a strong desire to move/travel
example – I’ve got itchy feet! I’ve outgrown my town and I need a new challenge. - have one’s foot in the door
meaning – start working for a company in a low position in the hope of getting promoted
example – I’d love to get my foot in the door at Google. - have two left feet
meaning – you can’t dance
example – Jasper asked me to the prom. I turned him down as he has two left feet.
- jump in feet first
meaning – do something quickly without hesitating or panicking
example – Starting a new school is scary, jump in feet first and you’ll be fine. - jump in with both feet
meaning – start doing something enthusiastically
example – Louis is a great addition to the team, he jumped in with both feet. - keep one’s feet on the ground
meaning – remain calm and sensible after becoming successful
example – My multimillionaire dad still sees his school friends and drinks cheap wine. He keeps his feet on the ground. - land on one’s feet
meaning – be lucky/successful especially in difficult times
example – After being rejected numerous times, Ollie has landed on his feet and works for Microsoft. - one foot in the grave
meaning – an old/sick person who will die soon
example – I caught pneumonia, I felt like I had one foot in the grave. - put one’s best foot forward
meaning – attempt to make a good impression/try your best
example – The boss is coming to the office today, I’ll put my best foot forward. - put one’s feet up
meaning – stop working, sit and relax
example – You put your feet up and relax, I’ll make the dinner. - put one’s foot down
meaning – use authority to stop something from happening or accelerate in a vehicle
example – We are going to be late for the funeral! Put your foot down. - put one’s foot in it
meaning – say or do something tactless
example – I’m afraid I’m going to put my foot in it and let slip about her surprise party. - shoe is on the other foot
meaning – the situation a has reversed
example – My brother used to beat me up. Now I’m 6 ft 3”, the shoe is on the other foot. - six feet under
meaning – dead and buried
example – Alice is six feet under, she passed away recently. - stand on one’s own two feet
meaning – be independent and not rely on others
example – It’s time my kids moved out and stood on their own two feet. They’re in their thirties. - wait on someone hand and foot
meaning – do everything someone wants
example – I stayed in a luxury hotel. They waited on me hand and foot.
foot and feet idioms list with pictures
Here’s some real life picture examples.
You can download a table of ‘foot and feet’ idioms and expressions below.
If you’ve enjoyed this page, don’t forget to check out some more body idioms by clicking on the links below.
Today we’ll be talking about words and idioms with the noun FOOT. We already covered idioms with HEAD, EYE, MOUTH, TOOTH, NECK, HEART and HAND, so feel free to check them out if you haven’t already.
This article comes from issue 2 (1/2023) of Your American English Magazine. You’ll find much more interesting stuff there, I’m sure.
| My friend’s son, Phil, was young and successful. He felt the world was at his feet. After graduating from college, he took a job an assistant to the editor in chief of a fashion magazine to get his foot in the door. Phil got his feet wet at his new job by doing simple editorial tasks. He quickly found his feet in the big company. Even then he always kept his feet on the ground.
Phil was a good worker, a loyal foot soldier in the war against foot-dragging on important issues. He never let the grass grow under his feet. He never put a foot wrong. When he talked to his boss, Peter, he always put his best foot forward. Everybody liked him. But then, one day, suddenly the shoe was on the other foot. |
at sb’s feet – close to someone’s feet or, figuratively, offering great opportunities to sb
get your foot in the door – to make the first step toward a goal by gaining entry into an organization, a career, etc. get your feet wet – to begin doing a new job, activity, etc., in usually a slow and simple way in order to become more familiar with it find your feet – to start to be comfortable in a new situation, to begin to be confident or successful have/keep your feet on the ground – to be a sensible and practical person foot soldier – a soldier who marches and fights on foot (infantryman) or, figuratively, a person who does active and difficult work for an organization or cause foot-dragging – failure to do sth quickly because you do not want to do it let the grass grow under your feet – to wait before doing sth or to do sth slowly — used in negative statements put a foot wrong – to make a mistake put your best foot forward – to behave very well so that sb will like you and approve of you the shoe is on the other foot – used to say that a situation has changed to the opposite of what it was before |
| “Wanna see you in my office, Phil,” his boss said one day. “This is Ken, my successor,” he said. “You know, Phil, I’m old, I’ve got one foot in the grave and that’s why I decided to resign. I hope you’ll get off on the right foot with Ken. He’s our man, if you know what I mean.” But Phil didn’t know. This situation caught Phil and his coworkers flat-footed. | have one foot in the grave – to be close to dying because of old age or illness
get/start off on the right foot – to begin a relationship well catch sb flat-footed – to surprise sb who is not ready or prepared for sth |
| A few days later Peter, Phil’s boss, was arrested. “Unbelievable, my foot! It’s just unbelievable!” Phil thought to himself. “I must go visit him,” he decided.
“- I’ve always considered you my friend,” Peter said as soon as Phil set foot in his jail cell. “I’m not going to lie to you anymore. I’m being accused of accepting bribes.” “- Did you take any?”, Phil asked. “- I did, and Ken knew about it. But he landed on his feet and now he must take care of our business. I hope you’ll help him.” Phil was shocked to hear that. The man he had admired so much turned out to have feet of clay. By taking the bribes he shot himself in the foot. The police finally put their feet down. |
my foot – (old-fashioned) used to express surprise or disagreement
set foot – to enter land on your feet – to be lucky and be in good condition or in a good situation after having a bad or difficult experience have feet of clay – to be a person who was admired in the past but who has serious faults or flaws shoot yourself in the foot – to do or say sth that causes trouble for yourself put your foot down – to deal with sb in a harsh or strict way |
| Phil decided to go back to the office on foot in order to have some time to think. It wasn’t easy, though, as there was a lot of foot traffic that day and he couldn’t concentrate. Some people were hurrying so that they almost knocked him off his feet. It was an exhausting day. Phil was dead on his feet. He was thinking only of one thing now: going back home after work and putting his feet up. But first he had to go back to the office. “What am I supposed to tell Ken?” he thought. “Does he know I know? I don’t want to start off on the wrong foot and work with someone I don’t respect,” he thought.
As soon as he arrived back at the office, he went straight to his room. After hours of dragging his feet, he decided to talk to Ken. He knew what to say, went to his office, but when Ken welcomed him with a friendly smile, he got cold feet and couldn’t say anything. “The business is on its feet now,” Phil thought. “I already put my foot in it when I asked Ken why Peter was arrested. I saw how embarrassed he was.” Phil loved his job, but now, for the first time, he started to get itchy feet. |
on foot – by walking
foot traffic – people walking in an area (like a street or park) off your feet – not in a standing position, in or into a sitting or lying position dead on your feet – very tired but still standing, working, etc. put your feet up – to sit and relax, to not work or be active get/start off on the wrong foot – to begin a relationship badly drag your feet/heels – to avoid doing sth for a long time because you do not want to do it cold feet – a feeling of worry or doubt that is strong enough to stop you from doing sth that you planned to do on your feet – in a standing position or in a good position or condition put your foot in your mouth / put your foot in it – to say sth that causes sb to be embarrassed, upset, or hurt especially when you did not expect that reaction itchy feet – a strong desire to leave a place, job, etc., and go somewhere else |
| Phil had always had a passion for dancing. “But will I be able to stand on my own two feet if I leave my job here and enter the world of show business?” he wondered. “Am I good at dancing? Maybe I’ve got two left feet?” In fact, Phil had always been a light-footed dancer, but, as a former fleet-footed runner, he also had athlete’s foot, so he had some doubts about taking up dancing as a career. “Is it enough to be light on your feet?” he wondered. “Will anybody want to watch me perform? Will I be able to bring the crowd to its feet? Or, maybe they’ll vote with their feet and stop coming to see me?”
Anyway, how did this story end? Well, Ken’s daughter started work at the publishing house and she just swept Phil off his feet. A year later they got married and are still working there. |
stand on your own two feet – to support yourself without help from other people
two left feet – used to describe a person who dances badly light-footed – able to move in a quick and graceful way fleet-footed – able to run fast athlete’s foot – a condition in which the skin between and around the toes cracks and peels light on your feet – capable of moving in a quick and graceful way to your feet – to a standing position vote with your feet – to show your dislike of a particular place or situation by leaving and going somewhere else sweep sb off their feet – to make sb suddenly become very attracted to you in a romantic way |
Animal fossils stored in a box since their excavation 15 years ago at an underground cave in South Africa have yielded an unexpected discovery—four foot bones that fit together to form the left instep of a hominid that lived about 3.5 million years ago.
This is equally important in the glissades side-to-side, when the second foot of one glissade becomes the first foot of the next glissade.
The QB who does not drop his shoulder will find his momentum taking him backwards and he will tend to throw off his back foot, making the ball hang and sail over the receiver’s head.
In sur le cou-de-pied back we naturally don’t have an ankle to wrap the foot around and yet, because the action is the same, the foot should have the same shape.
The foot should land in the three o’clock position and the athlete should stay up on the ball of the foot throughout the next run in order to maintain hip motion and lift at delivery.
«Never, never,» says Louis Galli, D.P.M., «permit a child to wear a pointe shoe, or even one that resembles a pointe shoe, until the bones of the foot are sufficiently ossified (hardened) and the supporting muscles of the leg, thigh, hip, and trunk are strong.
moves over the left foot, he should turn (pivot) the foot counter-clockwise, then advance the right leg out and around the left leg.
Then, apply the pads to your foot just outside of the pen lines (see photo at right).
If it isn’t breaking high enough or if the shank pulls away from the foot, she may suggest resewing the ribbons, moving them back or forward.
In Fifth Position, the feet should move equally to form one line with only the heel of each foot exposed.
Average asking rent in the CBD dropped $3.18 per square foot, or 10%, Over the past year to $28.17 per square foot and $1.30 per square foot, or 5%, in the Non-CBD to $26.91 per square foot.
The top five leases during the quarter were Kasowitz Benson Torres & Freid (140,000 square foot renewal at 1633 Broadway), Soros Funds (104,152 square foot renewal at 888 Seventh Avenue), UFJ Bank (90,528 square foot renewal and lease reconstruction at 55 East 52nd Street), Clarendon Insurance Group (76,300 square feet at Ten Times Square), Michael Kors (59,898 square feet at 11 West 42nd Street), Kasowitz Benson Torres & Freid (140,000 square feet expansion and renewal at 1633 Broadway) and Schulte Roth & Zabel (30,801 square feet at 919 Third Avenue).
The average asking price has remained relatively the same at $29.87 per square foot compared to $29.61 per square foot last quarter and $31.19 per square foot twelve months earlier.
During the third quarter of 2003 overall asking rents on Long Island dropped by $.65 to end the period at $23.94 per square foot.
Because much of the space leased by the hedge funds and financial service firms so active this year was among the most expensive in the county, average asking rent countywide plummeted $2.35 per square foot from a year ago to $25.99 per square foot.