1884. G. A. S[ala], in Ill. Lon. News, 29 March, p. 294, col. 3. They foot up (American English) to an almost alarming amount in thousands of dollars. To put one’s best foot (or leg) foremost, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To use all possible despatch; to exert oneself to the utmost. 1596. Shakspeare, King John, iv., 2. Nay, but make haste; the better foot before. To put one’s foot into anything, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To make a mess of it; to get into a scrape. The bishop (i.e., the Devil) has put his foot in it (Old English proverb) is said of burned porridge or over-roasted meat.—Grose. Fr., faire une gaffe. 1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. 1888. Daily Telegraph, 7 May. Faire une gaffe, in modern Parisian slang, may be best rendered as to put your foot in it. To have one foot (or leg) in the grave, verb. phr. (common).—On one’s last legs; measured for a funeral sermon. Also as adj. 1825. English Spy, i., pp. 199–200. With one leg in the grave he’ll laugh. 1890. Globe, 15 May, p. 5, col. 2. One-foot-in-the-grave paralytic sort of people. To pull foot, verb. phr. (American).—To make haste. Variants are to take one’s foot in one’s hand, and to make tracks; but for synonyms, see Absquatulate and Skedaddle. 1825. Neal, Brother Jonathan, Bk. I., ch. iv., How they pulled foot when they seed us commin. 1836. Michael Scott, Tom Cringle’s Log, ch. viii. ‘Why, pull foot, captain,’ promptly replied Paul. 1843–4. Haliburton, Sam Slick in England. I look’d up; it was another shower, by gosh. I pulls foot for dear life. To take Mr. Foot’s horse, verb. phr. (old).—To walk; to go by Shank’s mare (q.v.) For synonyms, see Pad the hoof. To know the length of one’s foot, verb. phr. (old).—To be well acquainted with one’s character. 1581. Lilly, Euphues, etc. But you shall not know the length of my foot, untill by your cunning you get commendation. 1614. Terence in English. He measures an other man’s foote by his owne last. Hee considers an other mans meaning by his owne intent. Footer, subs. (Harrow: once common).—1. Short for ‘football.’ 2. (University).—A player of football according to Rugby rules. Foot-hot, adv. (Old English).—In hot haste; hot-foot (q.v.) 1848. Burton, Waggeries, etc., p. 65. I’m darned if I don’t streak it to the Squire’s foot-hot. Footing, subs. (common).—Money paid on entering upon new duties, or on being received into a workshop or society: as at sea when a comrade first goes aloft. Formerly foot-ale: cf., Garnish. Fr., arroser ses galons = to christen one’s uniform. 1777. Howard, State of Prisons in England and Wales, quoted in J. Ashton’s The Fleet, p. 295. A cruel custom obtains in most of our Gaols, which is that of the prisoners demanding of a new comer garnish, footing, or (as it is called in some London Gaols) chummage.