put your best foot forward, take the plunge, leave no room for doubt, give someone the runaround, cut someone off at the knees: meanings and examples

Learn these 5 idioms from Idioms set 85. Each entry includes a definition, example sentence, pronunciation, and synonyms. Use the interactive cards above to practice them.

1. put your best foot forward · idiom/pʊt jʊr bɛst fʊt ˈfɔrwɚd/

   to make the best possible impression

   For your first job interview, put your best foot forward and show them your confidence.

   Origin: From the 1600s — starting a journey with the strongest leg first promised a successful, confident beginning.

2. take the plunge · idiom/teɪk ðə plʌndʒ/

   to take a bold risk or make a big decision

   I was nervous about moving abroad, but I decided to take the plunge and go for it.

   Origin: From the 1800s — diving into deep water requires committed bold action with no possibility of returning halfway through.

3. leave no room for doubt · idiom/liv noʊ rum fɚ daʊt/

   to eliminate any doubts or uncertainties

   His speech was so powerful that he left no room for doubt about his intentions.

   Origin: A 20th-century legal expression — evidence so complete that no possible alternative explanations could fit anywhere.

4. give someone the runaround · idiom/ɡɪv ˈsʌmwʌn ðə ˈrʌnəˌraʊnd/

   to avoid giving a direct answer and send someone from one person to another

   I called three different offices, and they all gave me different answers—they’re just giving me the runaround.

   Origin: An American expression from the 1900s — describes deliberately making someone run in circles, exhausting their patience.

5. cut someone off at the knees · idiom/kʌt ˈsʌmwʌn ɔf ət ðə niz/

   to severely weaken or undermine someone

   Just when I was about to finish my report, my manager cut me off at the knees by changing the entire project direction.

   Origin: An American 20th-century expression — cutting a person's legs at the knees brings them down to a defeated position.