# the shoe is on the other foot

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/the-shoe-is-on-the-other-foot
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such that the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.

## Examples

- Now that I am the boss, the shoe is on the other foot.
- He used to ignore my emails, but now that he needs my help, the shoe is on the other foot.
- After years of being the one who had to ask for favors, she found it quite satisfying to realize the shoe was on the other foot.

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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.