on the right foot, get off
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Also, start off on the right foot. Make a good beginning, establish good relations, as in It's important to get off on the right foot in this new job. This usage, alluding to walking correctly, was first recorded in 1909; the antonym, get off on the wrong foot, as in I'm afraid we got off on the wrong foot with our daughter's in-laws, was first recorded in 1925.
QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Words nearby on the right foot, get off
on the qui vive, on the rack, on the rebound, on the receiving end, on-the-record, on the right foot, get off, on the right tack, On the Road, on the rocks, on the ropes, on the run
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.