on one's feet

1. In addition to the idiom (see the next entry) on one's feet, also see dead on one's feet; fall (land) on one's feet; get to one's feet; set one back on one's feet; stand on one's feet; think on one's feet.

2. Standing, as in I'm tired—I've been on my feet all day . [Mid-1400s] Also see get to one's feet .

3. Also, back on one's feet . Healthy, returned to good health, as in I hope you get back on your feet very soon . [c. 1800]

Example Sentences

Part of the skill involved is being able to think on one’s feet and make those objections in a timely and accurate way to preserve them for appeal.

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It was a rigorous job — one that required serious mental acuity during long, hot shifts of being on one's feet.

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And when you realize that your desires and your ambitions are restricted by the status quo, one has to think quickly on one’s feet.

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So while I understand that there are quantum differences between losing a parent in one’s formative years as opposed to when one is supposedly able to more easily stand on one’s feet, I still occasionally wobble four decades removed from the guiding hand of my dad.

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Our social safety net is weak and once one finds themselves living on the street, I can only imagine how tremendously hard it must be to get back on one's feet and find a job leading to having a home to live in, health insurance to protect them and so on.

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