put your foot in it
/ˌpʊt jə ˈfʊt ɪn ɪt/INFORMAL · B2
Meaning
to say something by accident that embarrasses or upsets someone
Examples
- 1I really put my foot in it when I asked Sam about his girlfriend — they'd just split up.
- 2Try not to put your foot in it by mentioning the surprise party.
- 3Tom put his foot in it by congratulating Maria on a promotion she hadn't got.
- 4Don't mention the exam results to Ben, or you'll put your foot in it.
- 5Aisha realised she'd put her foot in it when the whole room went silent after her joke.
Grammar
put has the same form in the present, past and past participle; putting. it stays fixed. your changes: my, her.
More idioms about the body
All 20 idioms and the topic quiz →break a legused to wish a performer good luckstick your neck outto take a risk by saying or doing something boldtwist your armto persuade someone to do something they are unwilling to doby the skin of your teethonly just, by a very small marginbury your head in the sandto refuse to think about an unpleasant problemkeep your head above waterto only just manage in a difficult situation
English Idioms400 idioms in 20 topics — with reviews that keep them from fading
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