shoe (redirected from put in shoes)

be as tough as old boots

1. if someone is as tough as old boots, they are very strong and not easily injured. 'Do you think Grandad will ever recover?' 'Of course, he's as tough as old boots.'

(British, American & Australian, American)

2. if food is as tough as old boots, it is difficult to cut or to eat. That steak I had was as tough as old boots.

See also: boot, old, tough

be in someone's shoes (informal)

to be in the same situation as someone else, especially an unpleasant situation. If I were in your shoes, I'd speak to the boy's parents. Poor Matthew. I wouldn't like to be in his shoes when the results are announced.

be shaking in your boots/shoes

to be very frightened or anxious. Damon was shaking in his shoes when he heard all the shouting.

See also: boot, shake

the boot is on the other foot (British & Australian, American)

if you say that the boot is on the other foot, you mean that a situation is now the opposite of what it was before, often because a person who was in a weak position is now in a strong position. In the past, we had great influence over their economy, but the boot is on the other foot now.

See also: boot, foot, other

If the cap fits (wear it). (British, American & Australian, American)

something that you say to tell someone that if they are guilty of something bad, they should accept criticism. Look, I didn't say who was to blame for this mess - but if the cap fits, wear it.

See also: cap, fit

step into someone's shoes

to take the job or position that someone else had before you. When his father retires, Victor will be ready to step into his shoes. It will take a very special person to fill Barbara's shoes.

See also: step

wait for the other shoe to drop (American)

to wait for something bad to happen. Once a company starts laying of employees, those who are still working feel they are waiting for the other shoe to drop.

See also: drop, other, wait

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fill someone's shoes

to do what someone else has done as well as they did. He was a great coach, and it's not going to be easy to get someone to fill his shoes.

See also: fill

in someone's shoes

having the same experience as someone else. If I put myself in their shoes, I think I would have done just what they did. You're not alone – lots of people are in your shoes, looking for work.

the shoe is on the other foot

the situation is now the opposite of what it was before. Now that I don't smoke, the shoe is on the other foot and I don't want people smoking around me.

See also: foot, other