the boot is on the other foot

the boot is on the other foot

The roles (of two or more people) have been reversed, especially roles that were the opposite of each other. I can see that you don't like being told what to do, but now the boot is on the other foot!

See also: boot, foot, on, other

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

the boot is on the other foot

BRITISH or

the shoe is on the other foot

AMERICAN

If the boot is on the other foot, a situation is the opposite of what it was before, so that the people who were previously in a better position are now in a worse one, and those who were in a worse position are now in a better one. Comments like that from a manager are better made in private. If the boot was on the other foot and a player went public like that after a game, his club would quickly be looking to punish him. The fact is, I'm in the job. You may have assisted along the way, but as far as I know you're not in a position to remove me. The boot is now on the other foot. Note: Until the end of the 18th century, shoes could be worn on either foot, as cobblers did not make `right' and `left' shoes. If a person found that one of their shoes hurt their foot, they could try wearing it on their other foot to see if it felt better that way.

See also: boot, foot, on, other

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

the boot is on the other foot

the situation has reversed.

A North American variant is the shoe is on the other foot .

See also: boot, foot, on, other

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

the boot is on the other ˈfoot

(British English) (American English the shoe is on the other ˈfoot) (informal) a situation is now the opposite of what it was: She used to be the one who had to obey orders, but the boot is on the other foot now she’s been promoted.

See also: boot, foot, on, other

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017