Put Your Feet up Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises

In today’s fast-paced and stressful world, relaxation is often overlooked. The English idiom ‘put your feet up’ beautifully captures the essence of rest, leisure, and recovery after hard work. 

In this blog post, we will explore the meaning, origin, and usage of the idiom ‘put your feet up, and provide examples for the IELTS exam.

Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Meaning

The idiom ‘put your feet up’ means to relax, rest, or take a break after exertion, usually by sitting or lying down in comfort. It often implies enjoying a moment of leisure after hard work.

The expression is metaphorical. You do not literally need to raise your feet; rather, it refers to unwinding, often in a cozy or stress-free environment.

Origin of Put Your Feet Up Idiom

The ‘put your feet up’ idiom originated in early 19th-century Britain, where people physically rested by reclining in chairs with their feet raised - an image associated with comfort and relaxation. Over time, it evolved into a figurative phrase meaning ‘to relax in general’.

This idiom reflects cultural habits of leisure, especially in Europe, where reclining after meals or work symbolized prosperity and rest.

Put Your Feet Up Idiom Usage

The idiom ‘put your feet up’ is flexible and used in both casual and semi-formal conversations to indicate well-earned rest. Given below are a few examples of how it can be used in different contexts.

• Because my work takes up almost all the time during the day, I just want to put my feet up when I get home.
• After the exam, she makes the most of her evening by creating a cozy atmosphere for herself and just puts her feet up.
• Honestly, reading a book is the simple way for me to put my feet up.
• After finishing her long shift at the hospital, she just wanted to go home and put her feet up.
• You deserve to put your feet up this weekend after working so tirelessly on the project.
• After months of tight deadlines, the manager finally gave the team a day off to put their feet up.

Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Synonyms and Related Phrases

In the table below, you will find the common idioms list for IELTS Speaking related to the idiom ‘put your feet up’.

Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Detailed Usage in IELTS Contexts

You will find here a few examples of how you can use the idiom 'put your feet up' effectively in IELTS contexts.

IELTS Speaking Part 1

• Question: Do you get enough time to relax after work or study?
• Sample Answer: “Honestly, not always. But whenever I do get a free evening, I love to put my feet up with a cup of tea and watch something light-hearted. It really helps me recharge for the next day.”

IELTS Speaking Part 2

• Cue Card: Describe a time when you felt very tired but happy.
• Answer Excerpt: “I remember last year after completing a big group project at university. We worked day and night for almost two weeks. Once it was over, I went home and finally had the chance to put my feet up. That feeling of resting after hard work was unforgettable.”

IELTS Speaking Part 3

• Question: Do you think people nowadays get enough time to relax?
• Sample Answer: “Not really. Many people are under constant stress due to work and family commitments. That’s why small moments when we can put our feet up become even more valuable.”

Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Practice Exercise

In the following exercises, you will learn how to properly use the idiom 'put your feet up' and apply it appropriately.

1 After his surgery, the doctor advised him to put his feet up. What does it mean?

A Go for a jog

B Rest and relax

C Do more work

D Stand all day

2 Which sentence uses ‘put your feet up’ incorrectly?

A The manager put his feet up by assigning more work to his team.

B She put her feet up after gardening all day.

C They spent the afternoon putting their feet up at the spa.

D I can’t wait to put my feet up after the exam.

3 What does the idiom emphasize?

A Working harder

B Enjoying well-earned rest

C Getting angry

D Traveling for leisure

4 If someone says, “I’m going to put my feet up this weekend,” what are they planning to do?

A Take on extra work

B Go shopping

C Relax and rest

D Start a new project

5 Which of the following situations best suits the idiom?

A Preparing for an urgent presentation

B Writing a difficult exam 

C Running a marathon

D Sitting back after cleaning the entire house

Put Your Feet Up Idiom: Answer Key for Practice Exercise

1 B

2 A

3 B

4 C

5 D

To conclude, the idiom ‘put your feet up’ reflects the universal human need for relaxation. For IELTS candidates, it is a valuable addition to your vocabulary that can make your responses more engaging and natural. So, master idioms like this and boost your IELTS vocabulary, and next time you are tired, don’t just say, “I’ll rest”; instead, use this idiom and sound more fluent.

Useful Links:

• Running on Fumes Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises 
• Bear Fruit Idiom: Meaning, Origin, Usage & Exercises
• Through and Through - Idiom of the Day for IELTS
• Useful Resources & Websites for IELTS Vocabulary
• 50 Good Vocabulary Words to Use in an IELTS Essay
• The Most Common Idioms to Boost Your IELTS Score – Topic: Progress