English Reference
Idiom idiom

heavy foot


A habit of driving fast.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

He always drives fast because he has a heavy foot.

CONTEXTUAL

The police officer pulled her over for speeding, noting that she clearly has a heavy foot on the highway.

COMPLEX

Despite the winding mountain roads and the dangerous conditions, his heavy foot remained pressed firmly against the accelerator throughout the entire journey.


The term derives from the physical requirement that a driver depress the gas pedal with their foot to increase the speed of a vehicle. A heavy foot, therefore, applies more pressure to the mechanism than is strictly necessary for a sedate pace.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat feet

    To run.

  2. 02

    drag one's feet

    To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.

  3. 03

    feet first

    In the manner of a deceased person (i.e., dead).

  4. 04

    feet of clay

    In someone apparently strong and without failings, a hidden weakness which could lead to downfall.

  5. 05

    find one's feet

    To grow in confidence in a new situation as one gains experience.

  6. 06

    foot the bill

    To pay for something.

  7. 07

    foot voting

    Expressing one's preferences through one's actions, by voluntarily participating in or withdrawing from an activity, group, or process; especially, physical migration to leave a situation one does not like, or to move to a situation one regards as more beneficial.

  8. 08

    get one's feet wet

    To begin gaining experience; to tentatively try something new.

Last updated August 10, 2026