step into dead men's shoes

step into dead men's shoes

To take over the position or role of someone who has died. Derived from the proverb, "It's ill waiting for dead men's shoes." With the economy as stagnant as it is, the only way to get a promotion these days is to step into dead men's shoes.

See also: dead, shoe, step

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.