It is cruel to put the boot in when someone is already failing.
put the boot in
idiomTo kick a fallen opponent.
After the manager publicly criticized his mistake, his coworkers decided to put the boot in by pointing out all his other errors.
Rather than offering a hand to his defeated rival, the politician chose to put the boot in during his victory speech to ensure his opponent never recovered.
- 01
boot camp
Any short, often intensive course of training.
- 02
get the boot
To be dismissed from employment.
- 03
give someone the boot
To fire, sack, or eject someone.
- 04
not to put too fine a point on it
Used to apologize for a possibly impolite statement one is making; to put it bluntly; to express it in plain terms.
- 05
put a band-aid on a bullet wound
To inadequately treat a serious situation.
- 06
put a blanket over
Make (something) seem less serious.
- 07
put a bug in someone's ear
To make a small suggestion or give a hint that causes the listener to act.
- 08
put a damper on
To stop people from enjoying an activity.