put your foot down
Meaning
To assert authority firmly, refuse to allow something, or insist on a decision; to be strict and not give in.
Origin
From the physical act of stamping or planting your foot to show firmness and stop movement; figuratively, it came to mean taking a firm stand or refusing to yield.
Notes
Firm, sometimes strict tone: implies drawing a boundary or exercising authority. Used in family, work, rules, and decisions. Can sound bossy if overused or aimed downward.
Examples
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When the kids refused to do their homework, their mom finally put her foot down and turned off the TV.
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I had to put my foot down and tell my coworkers I canβt keep covering their shifts.
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The landlord put his foot down about late rent and started charging fees after the third day.
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She put her foot down and insisted we leave the party before it got too crowded.
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If you donβt put your foot down now, the project scope will keep expanding.
Grammar & Usage Notes
Usually used as βput your foot down (on/over/about something)β or βput my/his/her foot down.β Verb inflects (put/put). Often followed by against/with + gerund or a that-clause.
Synonyms
- take a stand
- stand firm
- draw the line
- put your foot down hard
- put your foot down on it
- lay down the law
Antonyms
- give in
- back down
- cave in
- yield
- give way