vote with (one's) feet


vote with (one's) feet

To show one's approval or disapproval of something through one's presence or absence, especially disapproval through leaving a place by walking out. After his inappropriate comment, we all voted with our feet and just walked away, leaving him standing there alone. If you want to support local businesses, you need to vote with your feet and your dollars—show up and buy stuff!See also: feet, vote

vote with one's feet

Fig. to express one's dissatisfaction with something by leaving, especially by walking away. I think that the play is a total flop. Most of the audience voted with its feet during the second act. I am prepared to vote with my feet if the meeting appears to be a waste of time.See also: feet, vote

vote with one's feet

Indicate one's disapproval by walking out or emigrating, as in The service was so bad that we decided to vote with our feet, or Thousands of Hong Kong residents voted with their feet and left before the Chinese takeover . [Slang; mid-1900s] See also: feet, vote

vote with your feet

COMMON If people vote with their feet, they show their dislike of a place, event or situation by leaving it. It seems thousands of people are already voting with their feet, and leaving the country in the hope of a better life. If the city's economic situation gets any worse, rich people will vote with their feet.See also: feet, vote

vote with your feet

indicate an opinion by being present or absent. 1982 Christian Order Uncounted thousands have ‘voted with their feet’, i.e., have left the Church. See also: feet, vote

ˌvote with your ˈfeet

show that you dislike or disagree with something by leaving a place or an organization: If shoppers don’t like the new market, they’ll vote with their feet and go elsewhere.See also: feet, vote

vote with (one's) feet

Informal To indicate a preference or an opinion by leaving or entering a particular locale: "If older cities are allowed to decay and contract, can citizens who vote with their feet ... hope to find better conditions anywhere else?" (Melinda Beck).See also: feet, vote