■ 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.