footing
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be on a war footing
To be prepared to fight a war. If we're seriously at risk for a nuclear attack, we had better be on a war footing. The country has been on a war footing after a series of military provocations from their northern neighbors. Doesn't the prime minister realize that his provocative comments have encouraged our neighbors to be on a war footing?
be on even footing
To be equal in power, ability, etc., to someone or something else. The president won't listen to a lowly aide like me! She needs to hear about my findings from someone who's on even footing with her. Of course our department is struggling—you completely slashed our budget! We're no longer on even footing with the other departments. Hey, don't come in here and tell me what to do, like we're on even footing or something! You owe your entire career to me, kid, and don't you forget it!
be on solid footing
To be in a position or place of stability. I feel like I'm finally on solid footing again now that I've got a new job. If the company isn't on solid footing by the end of the next quarter, we'll seriously have to consider layoffs. I can't believe we lost so much money when the stock market crashed. It'll be awhile before we're back on solid footing financially.
be put on the right footing
To be set on the correct or appropriate course or path. We have hired an outside consulting firm to ensure the company is put on the right footing following the investigation. This country needs to be put on the right footing, and we believe our candidate is the only politician who can do it! You can't let your son drop out of high school. No, that boy must be put on the right footing before it's too late!
foot the bill
To pay for something. I hope the production company is footing the bill for all of this air travel. The office will foot the bill for your trip, so make sure to use your company credit card. No, I refuse to foot the bill for all these kids! Where are their parents?
foot up
To add or total something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "foot" and "up." Do you mind footing up the bill for us? Don't ask me to foot up the bill, I'm not good at math. A: "You're going to foot up all the expenses?" B: "Yeah, as long as we can find a calculator."
gain a footing (in something)
To obtain a stable position that offers the potential for progress or expansion in a particular industry or area. Likened to the place where one can put their foot when climbing something. Taking a role on a soap opera is a great way to gain a footing in the entertainment business. I'm just starting out in this industry, so I'm still trying to gain a footing. The company has slowly been gaining a footing in the European market by offering a low-priced alternative to local competitors.
hotfoot
To travel as fast as one can, usually by walking or running. We need to hotfoot it out of here before Mom catches us going through her things! We need to hotfoot it off to the game, or we're going to be late. Duh, of course we hotfooted it out of the party when we heard the police sirens!
hotfoot it
To travel as fast as one can, usually by walking or running. We need to hotfoot it out of here before Mom catches us going through her things! We need to hotfoot it off to the game, or we're going to be late. Duh, of course we hotfooted it out of the party when we heard the police sirens!
See also: hotfoot
hotfoot it off to (some place)
To leave for some place as fast as one can, usually by walking or running. We need to hotfoot it off to the game, or we're going to be late. I need to hotfoot it off to the library before it closes. Duh, of course we hotfooted it off to home when we heard police sirens outside the party!
hotfoot it out of (some place)
To leave some place as fast as one can, usually by walking or running. We need to hotfoot it out of here before Mom catches us going through her things! Come on, we've gotta hotfoot it out of the lobby before someone notices we're not at our desks. Duh, of course we hotfooted it out of the party when we heard the police sirens!
lose (one's) footing
1. To slip, stumble, and/or fall during an activity in which one is using one's feet, such as walking, dancing, climbing, etc. I sprained my ankle when I lost my footing on a hike. Be careful not to lose your footing while you're on the ladder!
2. By extension, to lose one's stability by entering a precarious or unsettling situation. I loved my job, so I really lost my footing when I was laid off. I'm just worried that he'll lose his footing if he drops out of school now—there's no guarantee he'll ever go back.
on a war footing
Prepared to fight a war. If we're seriously at risk for a nuclear attack, we had better be on a war footing. The country went on a war footing after a series of military provocations from their northern neighbors.
on an equal footing (with one)
With or having no difference in position or advantage (compared to one). I find couple's therapy to be helpful because it gives each partner a chance to air their frustrations in an environment where they are on an equal footing. Phil's the boss—you're never going to be on an equal footing with him.
on even footing
Equal in power, ability, etc., to someone or something else. The president won't listen to a lowly aide like me! She needs to hear about my findings from someone on even footing. Of course our department is struggling—you completely slashed our budget! We're no longer on even footing with the other departments.
on solid footing
1. On a solid foundation. If you don't base your argument on solid footing, the other debate team will tear it apart.
2. In a position or place of stability. I feel like I'm finally on solid footing again now that I've got a new job. We need to get the company back on solid footing ASAP, or else we'll seriously have to consider layoffs.
on sound footing
On a solid foundation. If you don't base your argument on sound footing, the other debate team will tear it apart.
put (someone or something) on the right footing
To set someone or something on the correct or appropriate course or path. We have hired an outside consulting firm to help put the company on the right footing following the investigation. We believe our candidate is the only politician who can put us on the right footing as a country!
regain (one's) footing
1. To plant one's feet solidly on the ground, as after slipping, stumbling, or falling. Here, take my hands—I'll pull you back up so you can regain your footing. Be careful on that trail. All those stones make regaining your footing a challenge if you trip.
2. By extension, to achieve stability after experiencing something unsettling. I blew through so much of my savings back when I lost my job that it's been hard to regain my footing. After months of grieving, I feel like I'm finally regaining my footing.
start (off) on the right footing
1. To begin or set out in the most appropriate or favorable manner, or under the most favorable or propitious conditions, possible. In an effort to start off on the right footing this semester, I've already begun to research for my thesis. Our consulting firm is dedicated to helping entrepreneurs start on the right footing as they get their new companies off the ground.
2. To begin some task or endeavor in the most correct, appropriate, or propitious manner one can. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "start" and "(off) on." The trip didn't exactly start on the right footing, what with getting on the wrong train in Paris, but we ended up having a great time regardless! Are you sure everything is in order? I really want to start this conference off on the right footing.
start (someone) (off) on the right footing
To guide or direct someone to have the most appropriate, favorable, or propitious start (to some task, journey, or endeavor) they can. I wanted to start my kids on the right footing in life, so I tried to instill healthy eating habits as soon as they were old enough for solid foods. Tom's going to help start you off on the right footing during your first week here. If you have any questions, be sure to ask him.
war footing
A state of preparedness to fight a war. If we're seriously at risk for a nuclear attack, we better be on a war footing. The country went on a war footing after a series of military provocations from their northern neighbors.
wrong-foot
1. In soccer, to make a shot that makes a defender or goal keeper stumble or lose balance. The midfielder scored the critical tie-breaking goal just minutes before the end of regular time, wrong-footing the keeper with an incredible shot to the top corner of the net.
2. By extension, to maneuver in such a way as to catch someone off guard, especially so as to put them in an awkward or disadvantageous position. The quick-witted journalist wrong-footed the politician several times during the interview. I'm not trying to wrong-foot the board of directors, I'm just trying to do what I think is morally correct.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
foot the bill (for something)
Fig. to pay for something; to pay for a bill. My boss took me out for lunch and the company footed the bill. You paid for dinner last time. Let me foot the bill for lunch today.
hotfoot it (off to) (somewhere)
to go somewhere as fast as possible. I've got to hotfoot it off to school. When they heard the police sirens, the thieves hotfooted home.
See also: hotfoot
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
foot the bill
Pay the bill, settle the accounts, as in The bride's father was resigned to footing the bill for the wedding. This expression uses foot in the sense of "add up and put the total at the foot, or bottom, of an account." [Colloquial; early 1800s]
hotfoot it
Go in haste, walk fast or run. For example, I'll have to hotfoot it to the airport if I'm to meet them. [Slang; c. 1900]
See also: hotfoot
wrong-foot
Deceive by moving differently from what one expects, as in He won quite a few points by wrong-footing his opponent. This expression comes from tennis, where it means to hit the ball in the direction the opponent is moving away from. It was transferred to other applications in the late 1900s, as in Susan Larson's review of a concert: "Music wrong-footing and deceiving the ear" ( Boston Globe, November 1, 1994).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
foot the bill
COMMON If you foot the bill for something, you pay for it. Police will have to foot the bill for the damage to both cars. If the insurance industry were to foot the entire bill for pollution, it would bankrupt it. Note: This expression may come from the practice of someone paying a bill and signing it at the bottom, or `foot'.
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012
foot the bill
be responsible for paying for something.Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
foot the ˈbill (for something)
be responsible for paying the cost of something: The local council will have to foot the bill for damage done to the roads in last years’s floods.ˈhotfoot it
(informal) walk or run somewhere quickly: Once the police arrived, we hotfooted it out of there.See also: hotfoot
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
foot up
v.
To calculate something, especially by addition: The waiter footed up the bill at the end of the meal. Our producer footed the expenses up after the closing night of the play.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.