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Glite Dictionary
to put the boot in

to put the boot in

9.1
To attack or criticize someone who is already in trouble
  • idiom
  • UK
translation icon : dar una patada
  • After losing the match, the coach put the boot in by criticizing the players' performance harshly.

Examples

  • While she was vulnerable after her breakup, her so-called friends put the boot in instead of supporting her.

  • So, is that why Henry VIII put the boot in, then, sir - because of them bunking up?

    The History Boys (2006)

  • The critic really put the boot in during the review of the struggling artist's latest work.

Synonyms

to drag through the mud
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
7 7.9

To speak badly about someone in public to hurt their reputation

is done when the target is already weak rather than a general reputation attack
to put on blast
vsto put the boot in
  • Offensive
3 9.5

Say bad things about someone in public to show others what they did

is criticism aimed when someone is vulnerable rather than public shaming
to lay into
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
3 7.2

Use angry words to criticize someone strongly

is done when the target is vulnerable rather than during any fierce attack
to kick someone when they are down
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
1 6.9

To treat someone badly when they already have problems

targets people when down rather than criticizing at other times
to hit out at
vsto put the boot in
  • UK
1 6.7

To criticize someone or something strongly in public

is used when attacking someone because they are vulnerable rather than general criticism
to hit him when he's down
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
8.2

Say mean things to someone when they are already in trouble

targets people specifically when vulnerable rather than in general
to strike someone when they are down
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
8.4

To criticize or take advantage of someone when they are weak

focuses on exploiting weakness rather than general criticism
to throw brickbats
vsto put the boot in
  • Literature
8.9

Attack someone with strong words in public

is used for attacks when someone is vulnerable rather than general attacks
to lace into
vsto put the boot in
  • NSFW
8.5

Criticize or attack someone strongly

focuses on attacking when vulnerable rather than general forceful attacks
to put the miller's eye out
vsto put the boot in
  • UK
9.9

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

is used when criticizing someone during weak moments rather than any sharp remark
to get on someone's grill
vsto put the boot in
  • Slang
9.9

To tell someone angrily that you do not like what they did

is aimed at people already weak rather than general direct confrontation
to put one's foot in someone's ass
vsto put the boot in
  • Offensive
9.9

To yell at or threaten someone to make them try harder

is about attacking when someone is vulnerable rather than harsh motivation
to put the bad mouth on
vsto put the boot in
  • Informal
9.8

Speak badly about someone or something to other people

is used when speaking unfavorably while target is vulnerable rather than generally

Antonyms

to support
∞ 1.0

Give help to a person or idea

to defend
∞ 1.3

To protect people and things from attack or harm

How Harsh

to destroy
  • Informal
557 1.7
to humiliate
  • Offensive
414 6.1
to put the boot in
  • UK
9.1
to pile on
3 5.2
to criticize
701 3.3

Surface Forms

put the boot in infinitive
put the booted in past
put the booted in past participle
putting the boot in present participle
puts the boot in third person singular

Morphology

put + the + boot + in

The words 'put' (place), 'boot' (heavy shoe conveying force) and 'in' (into) create a clear physical image of applying force to someone already down, so there is a recognisable metaphorical link to attacking or kicking. However, the specific idiomatic sense of criticizing or taking advantage of someone when they are vulnerable is a culture-specific extension that a B1 learner who only knows the constituents may not fully predict without exposure.

Etymology

The idiom put the boot in may come from the image of someone already on the ground being kicked by a heavy boot, making their pain worse. So today it means 'to attack or criticize someone who is already weak or in trouble'.