on one's feet
Standing or walking; not sitting or lying down; up.
Before the teacher finished asking the question, George was on his feet ready to answer it.
In a busy gasoline station, the attendant is on his feet all day.
Recovering; getting better from sickness or trouble.
Jack is back on his feet after a long illness.
Susan was on her feet soon after the operation.
The bank loaned the store money to get it back on its feet after the fire.
Used in idioms land on one's feet, stand on one's own feet and think on one's feet.
I wouldn't worry about Chloe - no matter what bizarre scheme she gets mixed up in, she always lands on her feet.
on one's good behavior
Behaving right to make a good impression.
While his father was around the boy was on his good behavior, but when the father left the boy soon got into mischief.
The minister is coming to dinner, and Mother wants us to be on our good behavior.
on one's good side
on the good side of one
get on the good side of
keep on the good side of
Friendly with someone; liked by a person.
John thought that he would get a good grade if he got on the good side of the teacher.
Successful workers stay on the good side of their bosses.
To gain the favor of someone; flatter or please another.
A clever lobbyist knows how to get on the good side of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
on one's hands
In your care or responsibility; that you must do something about.
Mrs. Blake left her five children with me while she shopped. I could not get anything done with the children on my hands.
After everyone bought tickets to the dance, the club treasurer had over $100 on his hands.
The electricity went off while Mother was cooking supper, and she had a problem on her hands.
I had time on my hands before the bus came, so I bought a newspaper to read.
on one's head
upon one's head
On one's self.
When the school board fired the superintendent of schools, they brought the anger of the parents upon their heads.
Billy had been naughty all day, but he really brought his parents' anger down on his head by pushing his little sister into a mud puddle.
on one's high horse
Acting as if you are better than others; being very proud and scornful.
Martha was chairman of the picnic committee, and at the picnic she was on her high horse, telling everyone what to do.
Mrs. Jones asked to see a less expensive hat. The salesgirl got up on her high horse and said the shop did not sell cheap merchandise.
Refusing to be friendly because you are angry; in a bad temper.
Joe was on his high horse because he felt Mary wasn't giving him enough attention.
on one's honor
Bound by one's honesty; trusted.
The students were not supervised during the examination. They were on their honor not to cheat.
The house father put the boys on their honor not to smoke in the dormitory.
on one's knees
Pleading; begging very hard.
The boys were on their knees for hours before their parents agreed to their camping plans.
The Jacksons won't contribute to the Red Cross unless you get on your knees.
In a very weak condition; near failure.
When the graduates of the school heard that it was on its knees they gave money generously so that it would not close.