shoe

views updated Jun 27 2018

shoe / sh/ • n. 1. a covering for the foot, typically made of leather, with a sturdy sole and not reaching above the ankle. ∎  a horseshoe.2. something resembling a shoe in shape or use, in particular: ∎  a drag for a wheel. ∎ short for brake shoe. ∎  a socket, esp. on a camera, for fitting a flash unit or other accessory. ∎  a metal rim or ferrule, esp. on the runner of a sled. ∎  a box from which cards are dealt in casinos at baccarat or some other card games.• v. (shoes, shoe·ing / shoōing/ ; past and past part. shod / shäd/ ) [tr.] (often be shod) fit (a horse) with a shoe or shoes. ∎  (be shod) (of a person) be wearing shoes of a specified kind: his large feet were shod in sneakers ∎  protect (the end of an object such as a pole) with a metal shoe: the four wooden balks were each shod with heavy iron heads. ∎  fit a tire to (a wheel).PHRASES: be (or put oneself) in another person's shoes be (or put oneself) in another person's situation or predicament: if I'd been in your shoes I'd have walked out on him.dead men's shoes property or a position coveted by a prospective successor but available only on a person's death.if the shoe fits, wear it used as a way of suggesting that someone should accept a generalized remark or criticism as applying to themselves.the shoe (or Brit. boot) is on the other foot the situation, in particular the holding of advantage, has reversed.shoe leather inf. used in reference to the wear on shoes through walking: you can save on shoe leather by giving us your instructions over the telephone.wait for the other shoe to drop inf. be prepared for a further or consequential event or complication to occur.DERIVATIVES: shoe·less adj.

shoe

views updated May 29 2018

shoe shoes are the emblems of St Crispin and St Crispinian.
be (or put oneself) in another person's shoes be (or put oneself) in another person's situation or predicament.
dead men's shoes property or a position coveted by a prospective successor but available only on a person's death (see also it's ill waiting for dead men's shoes).
if the shoe fits, wear it proverbial saying, late 18th century, meaning that one has to accept it when a particular comment is shown to apply to oneself. The saying is found mainly in the US, and is a variant of if the cap fits, wear it.
wait for the other shoe to drop be prepared for a further or consequential event or complication to occur.
where the shoe pinches where one's difficulty or trouble is.

See also for want of a nail the shoe was lost.

shoe

views updated Jun 27 2018

shoe outer covering for the foot OE.; horseshoe XIV; various transf. senses from XV. OE. sċō(h) = OS. skōh (Du. schoen), OHG. scuoh (G. schuh) ON. skōr, Goth. skōhs :- Gmc. *skōχaz or *skōχwaz, with no known cogns.
Hence shoe vb. pt., pp. shod. OE. sċōg(e)an.