Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

out on one's feet

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.29 in modern English

Syllables: out- on one's feet
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Standing erect but not consciously aware of one's surroundings, or only minimally aware, and having little or no ability to control one's bodily actions, as a result of physical injury or exhaustion.

adj

Stupefied; dazed; nonfunctional.

Example Sentences

"Such schedules frequently leave them ragged and unrested. "How good is it for a patient to be treated by an intern who is almost out on his feet?" she asked."
"But several of his teammates later said Toomer was jabbering nonsensically in the huddle and seemed out on his feet."
"We had so many games to cram in such a short space of time, it really stretched our squad and the lads were out on their feet."
""Well sir, that girl was simply out on her feet. It wasn't from drinking, either. I'm something of a hypnotist myself and I quickly realized that she was in a real hypnotic trance, brought on by Puffy's staring into her eyes.""
"According to Savitt there are many such small concerns who are out on their feet, and still in a state of shock."
"The new leader who will be elected on April 6, becoming Prime Minister shortly thereafter, is likely to be very nearly out on his feet."

Etymology

From the sport of boxing, referring to fighter who is too stunned to fight effectively, but who does not collapse to the canvas.

Phrases

on the ropes

Frequently Paired Words

on the ropes

Synonyms

out of it punch drunk bewildered incapacitated

Questions

What does out on one's feet mean?: Standing erect but not consciously aware of one's surroundings, or only minimally aware, and having little or no ability to control one's bodily actions, as a result of physical injury or exhaustion.
Where does out on one's feet come from?: From the sport of boxing, referring to fighter who is too stunned to fight effectively, but who does not collapse to the canvas.

How to pronounce out on one's feet

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