🗓️ Idiom: Put Your Best Foot Forward (verb)
💬 Meaning
- To try your hardest to make a good impression.
- To show your best effort in a situation.
🧠 Example Sentences
- She put her best foot forward during the job interview and impressed the panel.
- When presenting to clients, it’s important to put your best foot forward.
- He put his best foot forward on the first day at work to show his dedication.
🏛️ Origin
The phrase dates back to the 16th century. It was used to describe stepping forward confidently, often with the stronger or more graceful foot. Over time, it came to mean making a strong effort to give the best impression. Shakespeare even used a similar phrase in his writings, helping spread it into common English.
📝 Practice Exercises
1. Fill in the blank:
In a new role, it’s smart to _______ your best foot forward.
Answer
put
2. Multiple choice:
What does “put your best foot forward” mean?
a) To walk faster than others
b) To try your hardest to give a good impression
c) To compete in a race
Answer
b) To try your hardest to give a good impression
3. Change the sentence using “put your best foot forward”:
“He tried very hard to impress the new manager.”
Answer
He put his best foot forward to impress the new manager.
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