# lead foot

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/lead-foot
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A habit of driving fast.

## Examples

- He has a lead foot and always drives too fast.
- My brother got another speeding ticket because he has such a lead foot on the highway.
- Despite the winding mountain roads and heavy rain, the driver maintained a lead foot, much to the alarm of his passengers.

## Origin

A gas pedal needs to be pushed down using one's foot to go faster. If a foot was made of lead it would be very heavy, making it easier to depress the pedal.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.