run someone off their feet: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘run someone off their feet’ mean?
The idiom "run someone off their feet" means to keep someone extremely busy or overwhelmed with work or tasks.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "sweep someone off their feet" means to completely charm or impress someone, often leading them to quickly form an intense romantic attraction or emotional connection.
The idiom "run someone ragged" means to exhaust or wear someone out completely.
The idiom "run rings around" means to easily outperform or outdo someone in a given activity or task. It implies being much more skilled or efficient than the person or group being compared to. The phrase originates from the idea of running in circles around someone or something, suggesting a clear superiority.
The idiom "run over" means to hit or knock down someone or something with a vehicle. It can also refer to reviewing or reiterating something quickly, and it is often used to describe time that exceeds the original plan.
The idiom "run out the clock" means to intentionally waste time or delay the completion of a task or event, often to secure a favorable outcome or simply to avoid unwanted consequences.
The idiom "run out of town" means forcibly expelling or driving someone away from a place due to dislike or disapproval.
The idiom "run out" means to exhaust the supply of something or to reach the end of a limited resource. It implies that there is no more of that specific thing available.
The idiom "run on empty" means to continue doing something despite having no energy, resources, or motivation left.
Baffling Footwear Pursuits
The idiom "run someone ragged" is a related expression that has a similar meaning to "run someone off their feet." "To run someone ragged" means to exhaust or tire someone out through physical or mental exertion. It implies that a person is pushed to their limits and left feeling drained or worn out. This idiom emphasizes the intense and demanding nature of the tasks or responsibilities that someone is faced with.
The idiom "sweep someone off their feet" is another related expression, but it has a different meaning. "To sweep someone off their feet" means to completely charm or captivate someone, often leading them to fall deeply in love. This idiom implies a sudden and overwhelming attraction or infatuation. It is used to describe the intense emotions and excitement that can come from a new and passionate relationship.
When we consider these related idioms in the context of "run someone off their feet," we can see that they all share a theme of overwhelming or intense experiences. While "run someone off their feet" focuses on the exhaustion and pressure that can come from excessive work or responsibilities, "run someone ragged" highlights the physical and mental toll that can be taken. "Sweep someone off their feet," on the other hand, explores the powerful and overwhelming emotions that can arise in certain relationships. These idioms all emphasize intense experiences and the impact they can have on individuals.
Whether it is being extremely busy and overwhelmed, physically exhausted, or swept away by intense emotions, these idioms paint a vivid picture of the various ways in which someone can be "run" or overwhelmed. They remind us of the capacities of humans to experience and endure different challenges and situations.
The idiom "run someone off their feet" is a widely used expression in the English language. It conveys the idea of overwhelming someone with tasks or activities to the point of exhaustion or being unable to keep up with their responsibilities. While the exact origins of this idiom remain uncertain, its figurative meaning and usage are well-established. This idiom, along with related idioms such as "run someone ragged" and "sweep someone off their feet," serve as powerful reminders of the various ways in which individuals can be pushed to their limits or swept away by different experiences. Whether it is the exhaustion from a heavy workload, the depletion from physical exertion, or the overwhelming emotions of love and attraction, these idioms capture the multifaceted nature of human experiences in a concise and impactful manner.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "run someone off their feet" can be used in a sentence:
- She was running off her feet trying to organize the event.
- The restaurant was so busy that the waitstaff were running off their feet all night.
- The holiday season always runs me off my feet with shopping and family obligations.
More "Exhaustion" idioms
