Put your foot in it
phrase
To say or do something wrong or embarrassing, often causing trouble or upsetting someone.
He really put his foot in it when he asked Sarah about her job, not knowing she'd just been fired.
Often appears as...
- put his foot in it
- put her foot in it
Usage tips
Idiomatic
phrase
To say or do something wrong or embarrassing, often causing trouble or upsetting someone.
He really put his foot in it when he asked Sarah about her job, not knowing she'd just been fired.
Often appears as...
- put his foot in it
- put her foot in it
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Social Faux Pas
Understand that using this phrase often points to a social mistake that's awkward or taboo.
When he mentioned her divorce, he really put his foot in it.
Pro Tip 2/3Apology Trigger
It's usually followed by an apology or an attempt to correct the awkward situation.
After commenting on her haircut, he realized he'd put his foot in it and quickly apologized.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
It's an informal idiom, more likely to be used in personal conversations than in formal contexts.
I didn't know he had failed his exams; I really put my foot in it.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Faux Pas
Understand that using this phrase often points to a social mistake that's awkward or taboo.
When he mentioned her divorce, he really put his foot in it.
Pro Tip 2/3Apology Trigger
It's usually followed by an apology or an attempt to correct the awkward situation.
After commenting on her haircut, he realized he'd put his foot in it and quickly apologized.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
It's an informal idiom, more likely to be used in personal conversations than in formal contexts.
I didn't know he had failed his exams; I really put my foot in it.
Pro Tip 1/3Social Faux Pas
Understand that using this phrase often points to a social mistake that's awkward or taboo.
When he mentioned her divorce, he really put his foot in it.
Pro Tip 2/3Apology Trigger
It's usually followed by an apology or an attempt to correct the awkward situation.
After commenting on her haircut, he realized he'd put his foot in it and quickly apologized.
Pro Tip 3/3Informal Expression
It's an informal idiom, more likely to be used in personal conversations than in formal contexts.
I didn't know he had failed his exams; I really put my foot in it.
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