What does 'you really put your foot in it' mean?

Answer 1

It means to say something you shouldn't have said - the image is of you opening your mouth to speak and kicking yourself in the mouth instead.

To put one's foot in one's mouth means to embarrass oneself by saying the wrong thing.

As in you say to a 45 year old woman, "Did you dye some of your hair white?" And then when you know that they actually had natural white hair you try to fix what you say but you just keep on making it worse.

To put one's foot in one's mouth means to embarrass oneself by saying the wrong thing.

To put your foot in your mouth is to say something stupid or embarrassing.

To make a tactless remark.

Generally, it means you said something you shouldn't have said in a certain situation.

Answer 2

An expression sometimes found in British novels, especially in the late 19th, early 20th century and perhaps later. Generally, it means the speaker has either embarrassed himself or placed himself in a dangerous or potentially embarrassing situation by some action, often an agreement, done without giving forethought. "Back in London when I signed on for this trek? I really put my foot in it that time." It's implied that the speaker has 'stepped' into something 'nasty,' such as manure, which is now 'stuck' to him so that he cannot easily extricate himself.

"Many times afterwards the Baggins part regretted what he did now, and he said to himself: "Bilbo, you were a fool; you walked right up and put your foot in it."

J.R.R.Tolkien, The Hobbit, pg 16.

In African-American communities the expression "put your foot in it" has a different, positive meaning: it's a compliment to a cook, meaning a meal or dish is exceptionally well prepared. "Boy, you really put your foot in it." It can also be a self-compliment: "Boy, I really put my foot in it."

Answer 3

"Putting your foot in your mouth" gives you the image of you in an embarrassing situation - think how stupid you'd look sucking on your own foot! When you put your foot in your mouth, you've said something embarrassing because you did not know of a connection to a person you are talking to or to someone that person knows or is related to. An example would be you saying "My boss is so fat he has to turn sideways to fit into the break room," and the person next to you saying "That's my husband" or "He's one of my best friends."

Answer 4

This means "Stop making comments that cause embarassment or make you look silly."

Answer 5

It means to make a mistake by doing or saying something embarrassing. The mental image is of a person accidentally stepping in something embarrassing like cow flops or dog poop.

Answer 6

The phrase "don't put your foot in your mouth" just means "Be careful not to say something stupid."

Answer 7

Putting you foot in your mouth means that you better think first before you say anything. You might be wrong if you don't think and then you will feel foolish.

Answer 8

To make a tactless remark.

Answer 9

Bob put his foot in his mouth.