| 单词 | to fall on one's feet |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto fall on (also upon) one's feet e. to fall on (also upon) one's feet: to get out of difficulties or find oneself in a favourable situation, esp. unexpectedly or by good luck. Cf. foot n. and int. Phrases 2a(c), to fall on (also †upon) one's legs at leg n. Phrases 1f.Sometimes specifically in comparisons with cats, referring to their ability to land on their paws after falling from a height. [Originally after Middle French (French) tomber sur ses pieds (1569 in the passage translated in quot. 1574, or earlier).] ΘΚΠ the world > action or operation > prosperity > prosper or flourish [verb (intransitive)] > have good fortune light?c1225 urec1440 to fall on (also upon) one's feet1574 to fall on (also upon) one's legs1723 to strike it rich1834 to strike oil1860 to luck out1902 to hit the jackpot1910 to bottom on (also upon) gold1926 to strike lucky1951 to hit (also strike, etc.) pay dirt1953 to land on one's feet1958 1574 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Job c. 471/1 When all is done, we cannot fall but vpon our feete [Fr. nous ne pouvons tomber que sur nos piez] as they say. For all the troubles of this worlde shall not let God from leading vs too the saluation which he hath promised vs. 1622 W. Scot Course Conformitie sig. Y4v He hath found a false key to open a gate for many to enter within the threshold of ceremonies in case of deprivation, and a back dore to escape by in case of reformation, that his man shall ever fall on his feet. 1642 Vindic. Parl. & their Proc. 15 They are Macchiavillians, and Polititions; who desiring with the Cat to fall on their feet, and to be free from blame and danger however the world wags, [etc.]. 1769 J. Reed Tom Jones 60 My cuz has fallen upon his feet. 1842 F. Marryat Percival Keene I. i. 98 You have been put in most difficult situations, and always have fallen upon your feet in the end. 1857 A. Trollope Barchester Towers III. xvii. 298 It is well known that the family of the Slopes never starve: they always fall on their feet, like cats. 1954 Irish Times 5 Aug. 4/4 Big Tim Flannery's daughter Celia, who has been through the mill..has fallen on her feet and is going to marry Rt. Honbl. W. R. E. Gladstone to-morrow morning. 2006 N. Talevski Rock Obituaries (2010) 86/1 Clarke usually managed to fall on his feet and ended the Seventies as the most commercially successful member of the group. < as lemmas |
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