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to find one's feet

to find one's feet

5.6
To become comfortable and confident in a new job or place after some time
  • idiom
  • Informal
translation icon : encontrar su lugar
  • She hasn't quite found her feet yet.

Examples

  • After moving to a new city, it took her some time to find her feet in the local community.

  • I was so happy when he married you and found his feet again.

  • Have you found your feet yet?

  • Until he finds his feet.

  • One day he'll find his feet and live from his painting, just as I live from my writing.

  • Haven't quite found your feet yet.

  • You know, we're happy to help you while you're finding your feet here, Pol, but we can't afford to bankroll a trip to LA.

  • He struggled at first, but eventually he was able to find his feet in his new job.

  • It's normal to feel nervous when you start a new school, but you'll soon find your feet.

Synonyms

to come out of one's shell
vsto find one's feet
  • Informal
3 4.1

To become more confident and willing to talk to other people

emphasizes general comfort in new situations rather than increased sociability
to orient oneself
vsto find one's feet
2 4.9

To find where you are and what to do in a new place

focuses on gaining comfort and confidence, not merely learning how to act
to get in the groove
vsto find one's feet
  • Informal
1 6.3

To work smoothly and easily after a short time

is about gaining general comfort and confidence in new environments rather than task skill
to get into one's stride
vsto find one's feet
6.3

To become comfortable and confident after a short time and begin working well

has identical meaning but uses different wording in common usage

Antonyms

170 3.0

To move or climb with great difficulty, often using your hands

23 3.6

To be confused and unsure about what to do

How Confident

confident
715 2.5
to find one's feet
  • Informal
5.6
to adjust
321 3.0

Surface Forms

find one's feet infinitive
finding one's feet present participle
finds one's feet third person singular
found one's feet past participle

Morphology

find + one + feet

The phrase evokes the literal idea of gaining stable footing — 'find' + 'feet' metaphorically maps to achieving balance or confidence in a situation. Because this requires a metaphorical transfer (feet → stability/confidence) rather than direct, literal composition, an uninstructed B1 learner who only knows the words may not reliably infer the specific idiomatic sense, so it is best classified as semi-transparent.

Etymology

The phrase find one's feet comes from the image of someone learning to stand and balance on their feet in a new place. So, when a person has 'found their feet' they can move with more confidence, and today find one's feet means 'to become confident or comfortable' in a new situation.