get on your feet

USAGE SUMMARY

"get on your feet" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to stand up or rise from a sitting or lying position. Example: After hours of sitting in the car, my legs were stiff and sore. I couldn't wait to get on my feet and stretch my muscles.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

if there ever was a time, it would be now is all I'm saying if there ever was a time to get on your feet and take it to the street cause you're the one who's getting played right now by the game they're playing come on meet me down at Zuccotti park.

Huffington Post

Get on your feet.

The New Yorker

But the thing is they don't actually help you get on your feet and do it.

The Guardian

An early command by the announcer of "Get on your feet and make some noise!" was ignored by most in attendance.

The New York Times

During one time-out, Ritchie's face appeared on the stadium video screen, shouting, "Hey, Detroit, it's time to get on your feet and make some noise!" He looked at himself on the screen, gestured at the baby, and smiled.

The New Yorker

Take all the opportunities you can to get on your feet: make the effort to speak to a colleague the other side of the office rather than using email, take the stairs rather than the lift, or walk a longer route to your desk.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

And what have you got on your feet?" They are both wearing brown brogues.

The Guardian

Proving his point, Nikeema Perry, 12, said, "The beach is dirty," and her friend Goldie Campbell, 13, added: "Yeah, and the seaweed gets on your feet".

The New York Times

Now you are getting on your feet, fumbling for your phone, searching for that Uber app.

Vice

Getting on your feet and moving around can seem even more difficult when mid-afternoon drowsiness has a solid hold on you, but adding physical activity to your routine will limit your exhaustion.

WikiHow

Adventurous enough to explore and experiment, McBride adds to her oeuvre by challenging herself with sexy blues ("You Can Get Your Lovin' Right Here"), ballsy brass-knucklers ("Broken Umbrella") and feel-good anthems (the get-on-your-feet opener "One Night").

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "get on your feet" when you want to encourage someone to stand up physically or to recover from a difficult situation.

Common error

Avoid using "get on your feet" literally when a simpler phrase like "stand up" is more appropriate. The idiomatic usage is best reserved for situations involving recovery or renewed effort.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "get on your feet" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression. It can literally mean to stand up, but more often it's used figuratively to signify recovery or regaining stability after a setback, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "get on your feet" is a common idiomatic phrase that means either to literally stand up or, more figuratively, to recover from a setback. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. While primarily informal, it finds use across different contexts, particularly in news and media. When writing, remember that while it can literally refer to standing, it’s most powerful when used to convey the idea of resilience and recovery. Consider alternatives like "recover" or "bounce back" for variations in tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stand up

A direct synonym, focusing on the physical action of rising.

rise to your feet

Emphasizes the act of standing with a slightly more formal tone.

recover

Focuses on regaining strength or health after a difficulty.

bounce back

Implies a quick recovery from a setback or challenge.

get back on track

Focuses on returning to a planned course of action after a disruption.

become stable

Indicates achieving a secure and steady position.

find stability

Emphasizes the process of discovering or establishing a stable situation.

return to normal

Highlights a return to a previous, typical condition.

overcome obstacles

Stresses the act of surpassing difficulties and challenges.

make a comeback

Suggests a return to prominence or success after a period of decline.

FAQs

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

You can use "get on your feet" to encourage someone to stand up or to describe someone's recovery from a setback. For example, "After the injury, it took months for her to "get on her feet" again".

What does "get on your feet" mean?

"Get on your feet" can mean to physically stand up or to recover from a difficult situation and become stable again.

What are some alternatives to "get on your feet"?

Alternatives include "stand up", "recover", or "bounce back" depending on the specific context.

Is "get on your feet" a formal or informal expression?

"Get on your feet" is generally considered an informal expression, although it's acceptable in many contexts. More formal alternatives might include "rise" or "recover".