Put Your Best Foot Forward
This young deer probably never heard you should put your best foot forward. Nevertheless, she did a great job demonstrating it. She nibbled on that honeysuckle vine with speed and purpose.
I thought she would run when I stepped onto the porch. However, she kept eating except when she turned to pose. She and her mama stared at me while I stared at them.
To put your best foot forward means to work quickly and with great effort.
You determine not to get off on the wrong foot. Instead, you:
- Commit to your task.
- Seek to succeed.
- Stay on your toes.
In the process, you often impress others.
When you put your best foot forward, you act with enthusiasm.
In addition to hard work, you maintain a positive attitude. Your example may also lead others to work harder and better. Your passion may become their passion.
“Acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you” (1 Thessalonians 5:12 NIV).
Thanks to Joanne Viola for the suggestion.
Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.
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12 thoughts on “Put Your Best Foot Forward”
I do a workshop on publishing with this title. We talk about presenting ourselves professionally and with excellence to get an editor’s attention. That way we might “get a foot in the door.”
Sounds like a great workshop, Tracy. I love your conclusion/suggestion. Thank you.
I love the analogy of the deer gobbling down that honeysuckle bush compared with putting your best foot forward. May we all be determined to work with that purpose and tenacity.
Blessings, Diana!
Thank you, Martha. I pray for that purpose and tenacity. By the way, that honeysuckle bush is looking sad these days.
I pray we all put our best foot forward and show God’s love to everyone. Have a blessed day! 🙂
Amen, Melissa. No greater way to put our best foot forward than to share God’s love with our hurting world. Blessings.
I loved reading the meaning of this idiom. And I was greatly surprised to see the mention 🙂 The photo and deer analogy is a perfect illustration. I know our evergreens will be a display of their efforts by winter’s end here as well. They sure do know how to work with gusto! Diana, your explanation of not only working with effort but with enthusiasm was wonderful, as one without the other produces such an empty result. May I always put my best foot forward in all I do and may it bring honor to the Lord.
I appreciate your suggestion and your kind words, Joanne. By the way, the honeysuckle is already looking scraggly from the deer’s persistence. Thank you for putting your best foot forward in your writing ministry. It touches so many lives.
Always enjoy your phraseology Ms. Diana. As I was reading this post, I thought about how I almost always lead (begin moving) with my left foot. I do it subconsciously, but I think it goes back many years to my time in the military. Not that we did a lot of marching in formation through jungles and forests, but that training must have stuck with me. Thanks Ms. Joanne Viola. Great thoughts and yet another great explanation Ms. Diana.
Thank you for your constant encouragement, J.D. You are a true Barnabas. I also enjoy your stories and way with words. Blessings.
I hope and pray we can all “put our best foot forward” and be a positive role model for others. One of the most effective ways to spread love and kindness is to live it. People are watching! Thank you for sharing this inspiring reminder.
You are so right, Katherine. People are watching, often when we have no idea. Thank you for sharing your thoughts. Blessings as you live love and kindness.