Have you ever thought about how much we use our legs every day? We walk, run, jump, and stand using them. Because legs are so important, people have created many idioms using the word “legs” to talk about actions, feelings, or situations. These idioms make our language more fun and colorful. They help us describe things in a clear and sometimes funny way.
In this article, we’ll learn idioms about legs. Each one has a simple meaning and easy examples you can use. You’ll also see where these idioms came from and how people use them today. If you like phrases that paint pictures in your mind, then this will be fun for you. Ready to learn more? Let’s get started!
Idioms About Legs
1. Break a leg
Meaning: Good luck (especially before a performance)
Example Sentence:
• “Break a leg at your school play tonight!”
• “My sister told me to break a leg before my dance recital.”
Other ways to say: Good luck, best wishes
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the theater world. Actors say it to avoid saying “good luck,” which they think is bad luck.
Usage: Used to wish someone good luck before performing.
2. Cost an arm and a leg
Meaning: Very expensive
Example Sentence:
• “That phone cost an arm and a leg!”
• “Dad said the car repairs cost an arm and a leg.”
Other ways to say: Very pricey, super expensive
Fun Fact/Origin: It suggests something is so expensive, it’s like giving up body parts to pay for it.
Usage: Used when something costs a lot of money.
3. To have legs
Meaning: To continue to be popular or useful
Example Sentence:
• “That new video game really has legs—it’s still popular after months!”
• “The story has legs, so the news keeps talking about it.”
Other ways to say: Still going strong, long-lasting
Fun Fact/Origin: If something “has legs,” it keeps going, like running on legs.
Usage: Used to describe something that lasts over time.
4. To pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or trick someone in a playful way
Example Sentence:
• “Are you pulling my leg, or is there really no school today?”
• “He said he won the lottery, but he was just pulling my leg.”
Other ways to say: Tease, joke around
Fun Fact/Origin: This started in the 1800s as a way to trick people.
Usage: Used when someone is making a joke or telling a fun lie.
5. Shake a leg
Meaning: Hurry up, move faster
Example Sentence:
• “Shake a leg or we’ll be late for the movie!”
• “Come on, kids, shake a leg and get ready for school.”
Other ways to say: Hurry up, get moving
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom may come from the military or dance halls.
Usage: Used to tell someone to move faster.
6. To stand on your own two feet
Meaning: To be independent
Example Sentence:
• “Now that he’s in college, he has to stand on his own two feet.”
• “She learned how to stand on her own two feet after moving out.”
Other ways to say: Be independent, take care of yourself
Fun Fact/Origin: It means not needing help, just like standing without support.
Usage: Used when someone takes care of themselves without help.
7. Leg up
Meaning: Help or advantage
Example Sentence:
• “The tutoring gave her a leg up in math class.”
• “Having a big brother on the team gave him a leg up during tryouts.”
Other ways to say: Boost, help
Fun Fact/Origin: It comes from giving someone a lift with your leg to help them up.
Usage: Used when someone gets help to do better.
8. On its last legs
Meaning: Almost broken, about to stop working
Example Sentence:
• “This old bike is on its last legs.”
• “Our TV is on its last legs—it keeps shutting off.”
Other ways to say: Almost done, near the end
Fun Fact/Origin: When something can barely “stand,” it’s near the end.
Usage: Used for things that are worn out or almost done.
9. Stretch your legs
Meaning: Go for a short walk after sitting
Example Sentence:
• “Let’s stop the car and stretch our legs.”
• “We got up to stretch our legs after the long movie.”
Other ways to say: Take a walk, move around
Fun Fact/Origin: It helps your legs feel better after sitting.
Usage: Used when you take a short walk after being still.
10. Give someone a leg up
Meaning: Help someone get started or do better
Example Sentence:
• “The coach gave him a leg up by training him early.”
• “The after-school program gives kids a leg up in learning.”
Other ways to say: Give a head start, help
Fun Fact/Origin: Similar to helping someone climb up.
Usage: Used when someone gives help to get ahead.
11. Get your sea legs
Meaning: Get used to a new situation
Example Sentence:
• “She got her sea legs after a few days at her new school.”
• “I finally got my sea legs at summer camp.”
Other ways to say: Get used to it, feel steady
Fun Fact/Origin: Sailors had to learn how to stand on a rocking ship.
Usage: Used when someone is adjusting to something new.
12. Not have a leg to stand on
Meaning: Have no support or proof
Example Sentence:
• “Without a receipt, he didn’t have a leg to stand on.”
• “You can’t blame your friend—you don’t have a leg to stand on.”
Other ways to say: No proof, weak reason
Fun Fact/Origin: Like falling without a leg under you—no support.
Usage: Used when someone can’t back up what they say.
13. Pull up stakes (legs)
Meaning: Move or leave a place
Example Sentence:
• “We pulled up stakes and moved to Texas.”
• “The family pulled up stakes after Dad got a new job.”
Other ways to say: Move away, pack up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from tents where people pulled up the stakes before moving.
Usage: Used when a person or group is leaving for good.
14. To leg it
Meaning: To run away quickly
Example Sentence:
• “We saw the dog and legged it!”
• “He legged it when the rain started.”
Other ways to say: Run fast, dash
Fun Fact/Origin: A British way of saying “run using your legs.”
Usage: Used when someone runs fast, often to escape.
15. To hop on one foot
Meaning: To manage with difficulty
Example Sentence:
• “He forgot his homework and had to hop on one foot during class.”
• “We were short one player and had to hop on one foot to win.”
Other ways to say: Struggle, do your best
Fun Fact/Origin: It’s hard to hop with one foot, just like some tasks.
Usage: Used when doing something with little help or resources.
16. To get cold feet
Meaning: To feel nervous and back out
Example Sentence:
• “She got cold feet before the big speech.”
• “He got cold feet about riding the rollercoaster.”
Other ways to say: Get nervous, back down
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in old war times when soldiers were too scared to fight.
Usage: Used when someone gets scared and changes their mind.
17. Have ants in your pants
Meaning: Can’t sit still, too excited
Example Sentence:
• “He had ants in his pants before the field trip.”
• “She had ants in her pants waiting for her birthday party.”
Other ways to say: Fidgety, restless
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine ants crawling in your clothes—makes you move!
Usage: Used when someone is too jumpy to sit still.
18. Run off your feet
Meaning: Very busy or tired from moving a lot
Example Sentence:
• “Mom was run off her feet getting ready for the party.”
• “The teachers were run off their feet at the school fair.”
Other ways to say: Very tired, super busy
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from doing so much that your feet can’t take more.
Usage: Used when someone is exhausted from doing too much.
19. Walk all over someone
Meaning: Treat someone badly or unfairly
Example Sentence:
• “Don’t let him walk all over you—speak up!”
• “She walks all over her little brother.”
Other ways to say: Take advantage, be unfair
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from stepping on someone without care.
Usage: Used when someone treats others poorly.
20. To have a leg up on someone
Meaning: To have an advantage over someone
Example Sentence:
• “He had a leg up on the test because he studied early.”
• “She had a leg up because her cousin works at the company.”
Other ways to say: Edge, head start
Fun Fact/Origin: Same idea as giving someone help to climb.
Usage: Used when someone has a better chance than others.
21. To be weak in the knees
Meaning: To feel nervous or excited
Example Sentence:
• “He was weak in the knees when he saw the roller coaster.”
• “She felt weak in the knees when she got the award.”
Other ways to say: Shaky, nervous
Fun Fact/Origin: Emotions can make your legs feel shaky!
Usage: Used when someone is overwhelmed by feelings.
22. To go down on one knee
Meaning: To propose marriage
Example Sentence:
• “He went down on one knee and gave her a ring.”
• “She said yes when he went down on one knee!”
Other ways to say: Propose, ask to marry
Fun Fact/Origin: A long tradition of showing respect and love.
Usage: Used when someone asks another to marry them.
23. To fall flat on your face
Meaning: To fail completely
Example Sentence:
• “I fell flat on my face during the spelling bee.”
• “The prank fell flat on its face when no one laughed.”
Other ways to say: Fail, mess up
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from tripping and falling straight forward.
Usage: Used when a plan or person fails badly.
24. Jump in with both feet
Meaning: Start something quickly and with energy
Example Sentence:
• “She jumped in with both feet at her new job.”
• “We jumped in with both feet to plan the party.”
Other ways to say: Dive in, start strong
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine jumping in a pool fully—no holding back!
Usage: Used when someone starts something with full effort.
25. To find your footing
Meaning: To feel steady or sure again
Example Sentence:
• “He found his footing after moving to a new city.”
• “It took a week to find my footing in middle school.”
Other ways to say: Get settled, feel confident
Fun Fact/Origin: Like standing strong after slipping.
Usage: Used when someone starts feeling more confident or steady.
26. To have itchy feet
Meaning: To want to travel or move around
Example Sentence:
• “He always gets itchy feet in the summer and wants to go somewhere new.”
• “She has itchy feet and loves to visit different states.”
Other ways to say: Want to travel, eager to explore
Fun Fact/Origin: Itchy feet suggest the urge to move.
Usage: Used when someone wants to travel or leave.
27. To step on someone’s toes
Meaning: To upset or offend someone by doing their job or duty
Example Sentence:
• “He stepped on her toes by taking over the project.”
• “Don’t step on your teacher’s toes by interrupting.”
Other ways to say: Offend, interfere
Fun Fact/Origin: Stepping on toes can hurt—physically and socially.
Usage: Used when someone oversteps or offends another.
28. To be quick on your feet
Meaning: To think and react fast
Example Sentence:
• “You have to be quick on your feet during a quiz show.”
• “She’s quick on her feet and always has a smart answer.”
Other ways to say: Think fast, clever
Fun Fact/Origin: Used often in sports or debates.
Usage: Used when someone thinks or reacts fast.
29. To put your best foot forward
Meaning: To try your hardest or make a good impression
Example Sentence:
• “Put your best foot forward on the first day of school.”
• “He always puts his best foot forward in class.”
Other ways to say: Try hard, do your best
Fun Fact/Origin: From marching, where soldiers stepped with their best foot.
Usage: Used when starting something new or important.
30. To be dead on your feet
Meaning: Extremely tired
Example Sentence:
• “After practice, I was dead on my feet.”
• “Mom was dead on her feet after cleaning the whole house.”
Other ways to say: Exhausted, super tired
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from being so tired you feel like you can’t stand.
Usage: Used when someone is very tired.
31. To step up
Meaning: To take responsibility or help out
Example Sentence:
• “He stepped up and helped his friend with homework.”
• “She stepped up to lead the group.”
Other ways to say: Take charge, help out
Fun Fact/Origin: Like walking forward to lead.
Usage: Used when someone takes action or shows leadership.
32. To stand tall
Meaning: To be proud and confident
Example Sentence:
• “You did your best—stand tall!”
• “She stood tall after winning the award.”
Other ways to say: Be proud, hold your head up
Fun Fact/Origin: Standing tall shows strength and pride.
Usage: Used when someone should feel proud or brave.
33. To get off on the wrong foot
Meaning: To start something badly
Example Sentence:
• “I got off on the wrong foot with my new teacher.”
• “They got off on the wrong foot but later became friends.”
Other ways to say: Bad start, wrong beginning
Fun Fact/Origin: Like starting to walk the wrong way.
Usage: Used when a beginning goes badly.
34. To drag your feet
Meaning: To go slowly because you don’t want to do something
Example Sentence:
• “Stop dragging your feet and clean your room.”
• “He dragged his feet getting ready for bed.”
Other ways to say: Delay, go slow
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from literally moving your feet slowly.
Usage: Used when someone avoids doing something.
35. To put your foot down
Meaning: To be firm and say “no”
Example Sentence:
• “Dad put his foot down and said no more TV.”
• “The teacher put her foot down about homework being late.”
Other ways to say: Be strict, take a stand
Fun Fact/Origin: Like stomping to show you mean it.
Usage: Used when someone says “enough” or makes a strong rule.
36. To walk a mile in someone’s shoes
Meaning: To understand how someone feels
Example Sentence:
• “Try walking a mile in her shoes before judging.”
• “He learned to walk a mile in others’ shoes and became kinder.”
Other ways to say: Understand others, see their side
Fun Fact/Origin: Imagine wearing their shoes to live their life.
Usage: Used when talking about empathy or understanding.
37. To get back on your feet
Meaning: To recover or feel better again
Example Sentence:
• “He got back on his feet after the flu.”
• “We’re getting back on our feet after moving.”
Other ways to say: Feel better, recover
Fun Fact/Origin: Like standing again after falling down.
Usage: Used when someone is recovering from a tough time.
38. To put your foot in your mouth
Meaning: To say something embarrassing
Example Sentence:
• “He put his foot in his mouth by asking if she was pregnant.”
• “Oops, I really put my foot in my mouth at the party!”
Other ways to say: Say the wrong thing, make a mistake
Fun Fact/Origin: Like saying something you shouldn’t and wishing you could take it back.
Usage: Used when someone says something awkward or wrong.
39. To stand your ground
Meaning: To not give up or change your mind
Example Sentence:
• “She stood her ground when others disagreed.”
• “He stood his ground and didn’t give up his idea.”
Other ways to say: Stay firm, not back down
Fun Fact/Origin: From battles where holding your place mattered.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t give in to pressure.
40. To walk on eggshells
Meaning: To be very careful not to upset someone
Example Sentence:
• “We walked on eggshells around Dad when he was grumpy.”
• “She felt like she had to walk on eggshells at school.”
Other ways to say: Be careful, tiptoe around
Fun Fact/Origin: Eggs break easily—so be gentle.
Usage: Used when someone is trying hard not to make someone mad.
41. To stand firm
Meaning: To not change your opinion
Example Sentence:
• “He stood firm on his choice.”
• “The teacher stood firm about no phones in class.”
Other ways to say: Stay strong, not give in
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a tree standing strong in the wind.
Usage: Used when someone keeps their position.
42. To be on your toes
Meaning: To be alert and ready
Example Sentence:
• “Be on your toes during the fire drill.”
• “The goalie must stay on his toes during the game.”
Other ways to say: Stay alert, be ready
Fun Fact/Origin: Athletes often stay on their toes to move quickly.
Usage: Used when someone needs to stay sharp.
43. To run legs off
Meaning: To make someone very tired
Example Sentence:
• “The coach ran our legs off at practice.”
• “Chores all day ran Mom’s legs off.”
Other ways to say: Exhaust, tire out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from running so much your legs feel gone.
Usage: Used when something makes you very tired.
44. To get your second wind
Meaning: To feel new energy after being tired
Example Sentence:
• “I got my second wind and finished the race.”
• “She got her second wind after a nap.”
Other ways to say: Feel recharged, get energy again
Fun Fact/Origin: Used by runners who feel tired, then suddenly feel good again.
Usage: Used when energy comes back.
45. To hit the ground running
Meaning: To start doing something fast and well
Example Sentence:
• “She hit the ground running on the first day of school.”
• “The team hit the ground running during the game.”
Other ways to say: Start fast, be ready
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from jumping off something and running right away.
Usage: Used when someone begins something with great energy.
Quiz: Idioms About Legs
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “break a leg” mean?
A) Fall down
B) Say something rude
C) Wish someone good luck
2. If something “costs an arm and a leg,” what does that mean?
A) It was free
B) It was very expensive
C) It was broken
3. What does it mean if you “pull someone’s leg”?
A) You’re helping them walk
B) You are joking or teasing them
C) You are hurting them
4. What does “on its last legs” mean?
A) Something is very new
B) It’s nearly broken or worn out
C) It’s running fast
5. If someone is “quick on their feet,” what does that mean?
A) They run slowly
B) They are clumsy
C) They think and react fast
6. What does it mean to “drag your feet”?
A) You walk proudly
B) You move slowly because you don’t want to do something
C) You race ahead
7. What does “stand on your own two feet” mean?
A) To balance carefully
B) To ride a bike
C) To be independent and do things on your own
8. If someone “has ants in their pants,” what are they doing?
A) Sitting still
B) Being very excited or unable to sit still
C) Wearing new clothes
9. What does it mean to “get your sea legs”?
A) You grow fins
B) You learn to swim
C) You get used to a new place or situation
10. What does it mean to “put your foot down”?
A) Step into a puddle
B) Be firm and say no
C) Start dancing
Answer Key
- C) Wish someone good luck
- B) It was very expensive
- B) You are joking or teasing them
- B) It’s nearly broken or worn out
- C) They think and react fast
- B) You move slowly because you don’t want to do something
- C) To be independent and do things on your own
- B) Being very excited or unable to sit still
- C) You get used to a new place or situation
- B) Be firm and say no
Wrapping Up
Idioms make language more fun and easier to understand. When we talk about legs in idioms, we’re often talking about movement, energy, or how someone deals with a situation. Now that you’ve learned 45 idioms about legs, you can spot them in books, shows, and everyday conversations. Try using one or two when you talk with friends or family. It’s a great way to sound more natural and have fun with words.
