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Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

one foot out the door en · NOUN

Meanings

  1. Indicates being on the verge of or in the process of (and sometimes eagerness for) leaving (a place, a relationship, life, etc).
    • It's insane that they bring you a normal-looking plate and go "it's very hot". … And I'm like ... so, did it need to rest for another minute or two? I didn't come in here saying I'm one foot out the door. 2026 January 21, Ally Beardlsey, my boss is sabotaging my clown career (w/ Ally Beardsley), Perfect Person (podcast) episode 185 (c. 5:57)
    • "Interns try and turn in at least two or three reports a week. Like I said, I have one foot out the door, so here is a little advice. It's not quantity, it's quality they look for." 2018, Antoinette Zam, Scarred by Death:
    • If you are unhappy in your relationship and considering polyamory as a “one-foot-out-the-door” strategy, please reconsider. 2016 January 14, “When Your Partner Wants Non-Monogamy and You Don't”, in Psychology Today:
    • "The next thing you know it's six weeks later. Your whole team is stressed and one foot out the door." 2022, Frank O'Brien, quoted in Tangled Goods: The Practical Life of Pro Bono Advertising by Iddo Tavory, Sonia Prelat, and Shelly Ronen, page 91
  2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see one, foot, out, the, door.

Relateds

one foot in the grave