FOOT


Meaning of FOOT in English

■ noun ( plural feet fi:t )

1》 the lower extremity of the leg below the ankle, on which a person or animal stands or walks.

↘ literary manner or speed of walking or running: fleet of ~.

↘[treated as plural ] Brit. infantry; ~ soldiers.

2》 a projecting part on which a piece of furniture or each of its legs stands.

3》 the lower or lowest part of something vertical; the base or bottom.

↘the end of a table furthest from the host.

↘the end of a bed where the occupant's feet normally rest.

4》 a unit of linear measure equal to 12 inches (30.48 cm).

5》 Prosody a group of syllables constituting a metrical unit.

6》 Music a unit used in classifying sets of organ pipes or harpsichord strings by their pitch.

7》 a device on a sewing machine for holding the material steady as it is sewn.

■ verb

1》 informal pay (a bill, especially a large or unreasonable one).

2》 ( ~ it ) cover a distance, especially a long one, on ~.

↘ archaic dance.

Phrases

feet first with the feet in front.

↘dead, as in a coffin.

feet of clay a fundamental flaw or weakness in a person otherwise revered.

get (or start ) off on the right (or wrong) ~ make a good (or bad) start at something.

have (or keep ) one's feet on the ground be (or remain) practical and sensible.

have (or get ) a ~ in the door have (or gain) a first introduction to a profession or organization.

have one ~ in the grave humorous be very old or ill.

my ~! informal said to express strong contradiction.

on (or by ) ~ walking rather than travelling by car or using other transport.

put one's best ~ forward begin with as much effort and determination as possible.

put one's ~ down informal

1》 adopt a firm policy when faced with opposition or disobedience.

2》 Brit. accelerate a motor vehicle by pressing the accelerator pedal.

put one's ~ in it informal say or do something tactless or embarrassing.

put a ~ wrong [usu. with negative ] make a mistake.

set something on ~ archaic set an action or process in motion.

under one's feet in one's way.

under ~ on the ground.

Derivatives

~less adjective

Origin

OE fōt , of Gmc origin.

Concise Oxford English vocab.      Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка.