1. [Match]

Can you match the phrases with their underlying meaning?

(put your foot down: 1 to adopt a firm policy when faced with opposition or disobedience or use your authority to stop something happening
2 UK to increase your speed when you are driving.
to shoot yourself in the foot – unintentionally to do something which spoils a situation for yourself
to have / keep one’s feet on the ground – to be / remain practical and sensible / realistic
underfoot – on the ground
six feet under – dead and buried (humorous)
under one’s feet – in one’s way
footnote – additional piece of information at the bottom of a page
at the foot of – at the bottom of ; at the foot of the bed / mountain
my foot informal – used to mean that you do not believe what another person has just told you: “He says he left my flowers in the taxi. In the taxi my foot. He forgot to buy me any.”
to get off on the right/wrong foot – to make a successful/unsuccessful start in something – eg in a conversation / in a new job / when meeting someone for the first time
have / get a foot in the door – have / gain a first introduction to an organisation / profession
The boot/shoe is on the other foot = the situation is now the opposite of what it was, especially because someone who was weak now has power
to follow in someone’s footsteps – to do as another person did before; imitate someone’s example
)

Answers for Quiz [1].

• 1. She had to be firm. (correct)
• 2. in one’s way, inconvenient (correct)
• 3. It’s difficult gaining access to an organisation or profession. (correct)
• 4. She is really practical and sensible. (correct)
• 5. informal phrase of disbelief, ie ‘I don’t believe that for a moment!’ (correct)
• 6. Be careful not to misjudge the situation or make mistakes at the start. (correct)
• 7. on the ground (correct)
• 8. She’s imitated someone’s example. (correct)
• 9. dead and buried – humorous (correct)
• 10. additional piece of information at the bottom of a page (correct)
• 11. The situation is reversed. (correct)
• 12. at the bottom of (correct)