Would you like to use an informal phrase that implies you have experienced something embarrassing or unflattering? The phrase 'put your foot in it' is a common English saying that can be used to say this. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and common use of the saying.
Meaning
The phrase 'put your foot in it' is a common figurative English saying.
'Put your foot in it' is a saying that can be used to mean that someone has experienced something that is embarrassing or unflattering.
The phrase can be used as a direct reference, but it can also be used as a reference that refers to a third-party in a conversation between two people.
When someone 'has put their foot in it' the implication is that a negative embarrassment has happened. Sometimes the phrase will give additional context that is specified or implied by one of the speakers.
The phrase can be used in the past, present, or future tense.
'Don't put your foot in it' can be used as a caution that means someone should not do something embarrassing.
'Not putting your foot in it' means that someone implies that they are not going to do something embarrassing.
The phrase 'put your foot in it' can have negative implications, though is usually said as a serious phrase.
A common similar phrase in the English language says that someone has 'stepped in it'.
Example Usage
“If you go to the conference without having read about anything important in the manual, then you're just going to be putting your foot in it.”
“You shouldn't put your foot in it at the meeting. Just do your research or ask one the technicians some of the things you'll need to know more about.”
“He really put his foot in it at the funeral when he realized he was talking to the wrong boy about his mother dying.”
“If you don't know how to make a pizza yet, then you're going to be putting your foot in it by entering a pizza competition tomorrow.”
Origin
The origin of the phrase 'put your foot in it' can be traced back to the 1500s according to most online language resources, and the phrase had already entered common use in the English language by the late 1800s.
In the 1500s, the expression was meant as literal when someone would accidentally step into pots – usually meant for cooking, though possibly spittoons and urination pots – that were kept closer to the ground.
Most dictionaries in the 1900s record the figurative phrase without the literal meaning, rendering what's called a dead metaphor with an evolved, modern meaning that carries little connotations to its original meaning.
When someone has 'put their foot in it' in modern times, the figurative meaning implies embarrassment.
Phrases Similar to Put Your Foot In It
- Step in it
- Done it now
Phrases Opposite to Put Your Foot In It
- N/a
What is the Correct Saying?
- Put your foot in it
- Putting your foot in it
- Putting their foot in it
Ways People May Say Put Your Foot In It Incorrectly
There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'put your foot in it' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the saying.
It's not accepted use of the phrase to say that someone has 'puts their foot in it', nor that they have 'put their feet in it' – and the phrase does not have to specify the meaning of 'it'.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Put Your Foot In It
There are several correct ways in which someone can use the phrase 'put your foot in it' in conversation.
The phrase can be used as a direct reference to someone, or it can be used as a reference when speaking about someone else.