Archive for January, 2014

Idioms with feet

January 19th, 2014 in Expressions

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.