ENGLISH
REFERENCE

as ever trod shoe-leather

idiom
Meaning

As ever existed or lived.


Origin

disputed origin

Treading shoe-leather refers to walking, in the sense of “walking on this earth”.

Examples
SIMPLE

He is the kindest person as ever trod shoe-leather.

CONTEXTUAL

She is as honest a politician as ever trod shoe-leather, which makes her very popular with voters.

COMPLEX

The old captain was as brave a sailor as ever trod shoe-leather, having survived countless storms on the open sea.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  2. 02

    if the shoe fits

    Ellipsis of if the shoe fits, wear it.

  3. 03

    if the shoe fits, wear it

    If a description fits, it is probably the case; if an insult accurately describes you, you must bear it; if you take offence at an insult that was only implicitly directed at you, you admit the insult is true enough to be recognizable.

  4. 04

    leather working

    The technology of making products from leather.

  5. 05

    pebble in one's shoe

    A small and bothersome issue that may worsen over time.

  6. 06

    put the same shoe on every foot

    To attempt to apply a single solution to different problems.

  7. 07

    slap leather

    To make a quick motion to draw one's handgun from its holster, especially in a duel in the Old West.

  8. 08

    soft shoe

    A speech, explanation, sales pitch, or other set of remarks delivered in a restrained or conciliatory manner in order to persuade, distract, or otherwise influence someone.

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