put the boot in
To kick a fallen opponent.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“It is cruel to put the boot in when someone is already failing.”
“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
bet one's boots
To be absolutely sure of something; to be certain enough to wager an essential possession.
- 02
boot camp
Any short, often intensive course of training.
- 03
daisies
[Cockney slang]boots
- 04
fill one's boots
To perform at a high level in one's official role.
- 05
get the boot
To be dismissed from employment.
- 06
give someone the boot
To fire, sack, or eject someone.
- 07
hang up one's boots
to retire, call it a day (used especially in the context of sports).
- 08
kicking boots
Ability to kick well.
Last updated August 10, 2026