Put your foot down
/pʊt jɔː fʊt daʊn/neutralUK · US
What does “Put your foot down” mean?
Put your foot down means to insist firmly on a decision or refuse to allow something to continue.
You put your foot down when you decide that something must stop or that you will not agree. You can be firm without shouting.
In British English, the phrase also means pressing the accelerator to drive faster. The surrounding sentence usually makes the difference clear.
When do people say it?
Use it when someone stops negotiating and makes a boundary clear.
“I put my foot down and said we would not be answering work emails during the holiday.”
Is it formal or informal?
Register: neutral. It is most at home in both everyday conversation and professional writing. Most common in UK and US.
Where does it come from?
The image is of standing firmly and refusing to move.
Origin confidence: Disputed; treat with caution
How do you say “Put your foot down” in other languages?
Related idioms
- Take the bull by the horns, Face a difficult situation directly and boldly.
- Give someone a piece of your mind, Tell someone angrily what you think of them.
Last updated 2026-09-16