to get one's feet wet
3
4.9
- idiom
- Informal
:
iniciar
- When you're new, it's important to get your feet wet, and this is the best place to do it.
- want to get your feet wet
- just getting our feet wet
- way to get your feet wet
Examples
-
Now is good a time as any to get his feet wet.
-
Start with smaller events to get your feet wet and gain some experience.
Blog text (4) -
That's a good way to get your feet wet building a personal brand and building social media relationships with people.
Blog text (11) -
Most gardeners will tell you that the rose is a great flower to grow when you are trying to get your feet wet in the world of gardening.
Blog text (15) -
It's a great way for students to get their feet wet in the world of coding.
-
Before committing to a full-time job, it's wise to get your feet wet with an internship.
-
When starting a new hobby, it's helpful to get your feet wet with a beginner's class.
Synonyms
481
1.8
To begin doing something, for example a task or meeting
147
2.8
Begin to like and learn about something
1
4.8
To move a hand, foot, or bird's head lightly in water for fun
To start taking part in an activity or group
How Experienced
∞
1.0
169
1.4
- Informal
3
4.9
229
2.8
619
2.4
Surface Forms
Morphology
get + one's + feet + wet
The phrase evokes the literal image of making one's feet wet, which metaphorically maps onto trying something in a limited or initial way, so the constituent meanings ('get', 'feet', 'wet') provide a plausible clue. However, the specific sense of gaining initial experience or participating cautiously is an extended, conventionalized metaphor that is not fully predictable from the parts, so a B1 learner who knows the words may guess the general idea but not reliably the exact pragmatic nuance without prior exposure.
Etymology
Get one's feet wet comes from the picture of stepping into water a little, putting your feet into the water so they become wet to try it out without jumping in. So it now means 'to begin something and get a little experience'.