Sometimes we use phrases or expressions that are different from the word’s usual meanings. These phrases are called idioms. Your mission is to read my story that contains many idioms, or figures of speech, about feet. Then try the IDIOM QUIZ to see if you know what each idiom means.

It was Sunday night and Allen was going to bed to “take the load off his feet” when he “stopped dead in his tracks.” He remembered that his project was due the very next day.

Since this project was a major part of his grade, he knew that if he was smart it was going to have to “sweep his teacher off her feet.”

Allen’s “feet flew” as he raced through the open door to his mom’s room. He was nearly “out of breath” when he “threw himself at his mother’s feet” begging loudly for help.

His mother replied that sooner or later he would have to learn a wonderful lesson and “stand on his own two feet.”

Allen knew that he had “gotten off on the wrong foot” starting so late and that he would have to “step on the gas” if he wanted to finish this paper.

Then he knew that next time a paper was assigned he would have to “get his foot in the door” and “take steps” to prevent this from happening again. He would need to get “all wrapped up” in the assignment as soon as it was made.

To take the load off his feet means to take off his shoes 2. to run really quickly 3. to sit down and relax 4. to kick someone

Out of breath means you need to go to the breath station to buy more 2. you have bad breath 3. the wind is blowing outside 4. you are breathing heavily

To stop dead in his tracks means to kill someone in a race 4. to stop suddenly 2. to leave tracks in the mud 1. to die on the railroad tracks

To sweep his teacher off her feet means to greatly impress her 3. To knock her over with a broom 4. when a tornado destroys your school 2. to blow really hard to make her fall

When his feet flew means he stuck his feet out the window of an airplane 3. his feet grew wings and turned into birds 4. he was wearing his new Air Jordans 2. he ran quickly

To throw yourself at someone’s feet means to trip over a rock and fall 3. to smell someone’s feet 2. to get down on your knees and beg 4. To get rid of your crutches

To get off on the wrong foot means to mess up on a dance step 3. to begin with a bad start 2. to put your shoes on the wrong feet 4. to sleep with your shoes on

Judy Collins, Supervisor of Gifted and Talented Programs, 6th grade class Memphis City Schools