be on your feet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be on your feet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is standing or to indicate that someone is alert and ready to act. Example: "After a long day at work, I was finally able to sit down and relax, but I had to be on my feet for most of the evening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

You may be on your feet a good long while.

The New York Times - Food

You have to be on your feet in rubber boots eight hours a day.

The New York Times - Food

(She also advised women helpers to wear comfortable footwear "as you'll be on your feet a fair bit").

The Guardian

"They would not go shopping for eight hours a few days before they compete, so why would you be on your feet for that length of time?

Independent

Most of Pokémon Go requires you to be on your feet out on the street, but public transport is excellent for stocking up on items such as Pokeballs.

The Guardian - Tech

"She slices a lot from both sides and can play aggressive so you have to be on your feet to beat her".

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

"You are on your feet.

The New York Times

Or rather, they're on your feet.

The New York Times

You were on your feet all day.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not what is on your feet, it's what your feet are doing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On top of that, you're on your feet all the time.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to be prepared or vigilant, use "be on your feet" to convey a sense of readiness and attentiveness, as in: "During the presentation, you need to be on your feet to answer any questions."

Common error

Avoid using "be on your feet" solely in literal contexts (i.e., simply standing). The phrase often implies action, readiness, or recovery, so ensure the context aligns with these figurative meanings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be on your feet" functions as an idiomatic expression, indicating a state of standing, being active, or recovering from a setback. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

40%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be on your feet" is a common idiomatic phrase used to convey a sense of standing, activity, or recovery. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely applicable across various contexts. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication. Remember to use it when you want to imply readiness, resilience, or simply the physical act of standing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

get back on your feet

Specifically refers to recovering from a difficult situation, adding an element of overcoming adversity.

be ready to act

Emphasizes preparedness and willingness to take action, highlighting the proactive aspect of the original phrase.

find your footing

Implies gaining stability or confidence in a new situation, focusing on establishing a firm foundation.

stand up

A more literal way of describing the act of standing, without the idiomatic implications of activity or resilience.

spring back

Suggests a quick recovery or return to a previous state, emphasizing resilience and speed.

be upright

Similar to 'stand up', but emphasizes the physical posture of being erect.

be active

Highlights the state of being engaged in activity, removing the physical standing aspect.

recover

Focuses on regaining health or stability after a setback, sharing the aspect of resilience.

be mobile

Focuses on the ability to move around, emphasizing physical capability.

be in motion

Similar to 'be active', but with a stronger emphasis on continuous movement.

FAQs

How can I use "be on your feet" in a sentence?

You can use "be on your feet" to describe someone who is standing, active, or recovering from a setback. For example: "After the surgery, it took me a while to "get back on my feet"".

What does "be on your feet" mean?

"Be on your feet" can mean to be standing, to be active and working, or to be recovering from an illness or difficulty.

What can I say instead of "be on your feet"?

You can use alternatives like "stand up", "be active", or "recover" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "be on your feet" in a formal setting?

Yes, "be on your feet" is acceptable in many formal settings, especially when used to describe being active or recovering. However, consider whether a more precise term like "be ready to act" might be more appropriate.