put foot down

put your foot down

1. to tell someone in a strong way that they must do something or that they must stop doing something. You can't just let him do what he wants, you'll have to put your foot down. When Anna came home drunk one afternoon I decided it was time to put my foot down.

2. to suddenly increase your speed when you are driving. The road ahead was clear, so I put my foot down and tried to overtake the car in front.

See also: down, foot

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put your foot down

to decide something and express your decision. Mom put her foot down and said I couldn't use the car until my grades improved.

See also: down, foot