To put one’s foot in it
“To put one’s foot in it” is an idiom. We use it to talk about someone saying something embarrassing without meaning to do so.
If I say “I put my foot in it”, I mean that I said something that offended, upset or hurt someone even though I didn’t mean that to happen. Because I did this, I embarrassed myself – meaning that I felt ashamed or guilty.
Here are some examples:
- I put my foot in it when I asked about his mother: I didn’t know she had died.
- She’s always making mistakes, but she really put her foot in it this time. What happened was supposed to be a secret, but she told everyone about it.
- He put his foot in it when he told Mary he didn’t like David very much. He didn’t realise that David is Mary’s boyfriend.
- I know she’s very sensitive so I try to be careful, but I always seem to put my foot in it.
Another version of the saying is “to put one’s foot in one’s mouth”.
Some examples:
- He should think before he speaks: he’s always putting his foot in his mouth.
- If you keep your mouth shut, you won’t put your foot in it.
- Every time she opens her mouth, she puts her big foot in it.
Here are some related words:
- Blunder
- Indiscretion
- Tactless
- Offensive
- Insulting
- Hurtful
Some other idioms using “foot” include:
- To put one’s foot down – Meaning to be insistent.
- To put a foot wrong – Meaning to make a mistake.
- To put one’s best foot forward – Meaning to do one’s best.
- To foot the bill – Meaning to pay.
- To get off on the wrong foot – Meaning to start with a mistake.
- To wrong-foot someone – Meaning to put someone at a disadvantage or to surprise someone.
Posted by Graham
