E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Foot.
(Greek, pod’; Latin, ped’; French, pied; Dutch, voet; Saxon, fot. Foot and pedal are variants of the same word.)
1
Best foot foremost. Use all possible dispatch. To “set on foot” is to set agoing. If you have various powers of motion, set your best foremost.
2
“Nay, but make haste; the better foot before.”
Shakespeare: King John, iv. 2.
I have not yet got my foot in. I am not yet familiar and easy with the work. The allusion is to the preliminary exercises in the great Roman foot-race. While the signal was waited for, the candidates made essays of jumping, running, and posturing, to excite a suitable warmth and make their limbs supple. This was “getting their foot in” for the race. (See HAND.)
3
I have the measure or length of his foot. I know the exact calibre of his mind. The allusion is to the Pythagore’an admeasurement of Hercules by the length of his foot. (See EX PEDE.)
4
To light on one’s feet. To escape a threatened danger. It is said that cats thrown from a height always light on their feet.
5
To put down your foot on [a matter]. Peremptorily to forbid it.
6
To show the cloven foot. To betray an evil intention. The devil is represented with a cloven foot.
7
Turn away thy foot from the Sabbath (Isa. lviii. 13). Abstain from working and doing your own pleasure on that day. The allusion is to the law which prohibited a Jew from walking on a Sabbath more than a mile. He was to turn away his foot from the road and street.
8
Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour’s house, lest he get weary of thee, and so hate thee. Never outstay your welcome.
9
With one foot in the grave. In a dying state.
10
You have put your foot in it nicely. You have got yourself into a pretty mess. (In French, vous avez mis le pied dedans.) When porridge is burnt or meat over-roasted, we say, “The bishop hath put his foot in.” (See BISHOP.)
11
Afoot. On the way, in progress. (See GAME’S AFOOT, MATTER AFOOT.)
