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Glite Dictionary
to stay out on one's feet

to stay out on one's feet

8.1
Keep standing and awake even when very tired
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : mantenerse en pie
  • The boxer was visibly exhausted but continued to stay out on his feet through all the rounds.

Examples

  • Despite feeling ill, he tried to stay out on his feet during the important meeting.

  • She stayed out on her feet during the long meeting.

  • After running the marathon, she managed to stay out on her feet until the very end.

  • Don't stay out on one's feet too long!

  • After running the marathon, she managed to stay out on her feet despite her exhaustion.

  • Despite feeling ill, he pushed himself to stay out on his feet during the important meeting.

  • The boxer was visibly exhausted but continued to stay out on his feet even after being hit hard.

Synonyms

to overstand
vsto stay out on one's feet
9.9

To stay standing after others fall or disappear

endure hard conditions regardless of others' fate
to keep on (one's) toes
vsto stay out on one's feet
  • Informal
5.8

Make someone stay alert and ready for surprises

focuses on continuing to be active and conscious despite tiredness

Antonyms

to give up
∞ 1.2

To stop trying to do something or accept defeat

to collapse
579 3.9

To fall down suddenly, for example when a person faints or a building breaks

How Steady

to endure
94 3.6
to keep going
357 1.6
to stay out on one's feet
  • Informal
8.1
to sit down
∞ 1.0
to collapse
579 3.9

Surface Forms

stay out on one's feet infinitive
stayed out on one's feet past
stayed out on one's feet past participle
staying out on one's feet present participle
stays out on one's feet third person singular

Morphology

stay + out + on + one + foot

The literal combination 'stay' + 'on one\'s feet' readily yields the idea of remaining standing, so a B1 learner who knows the words would likely infer the core sense of staying upright or functioning. However, the extended meanings like 'remain active or conscious despite difficulty' and the presence of 'out' add metaphorical and idiomatic nuance that is not fully predictable without prior exposure, so comprehension is only partial.

Etymology

Stay out on one's feet gives the picture of someone who keeps their feet on the ground and stays standing after a hard fight or a very long day. So it means 'to remain active, conscious, or standing' despite tiredness or difficulty.