vote with (one's) feet
vote with (one's) feet
To show one's approval or disapproval of something through one's presence or absence, especially disapproval through leaving a place by walking out. After his inappropriate comment, we all voted with our feet and just walked away, leaving him standing there alone. If you want to support local businesses, you need to vote with your feet and your dollars—show up and buy stuff!
See also: feet, vote
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
vote with one's feet
Fig. to express one's dissatisfaction with something by leaving, especially by walking away. I think that the play is a total flop. Most of the audience voted with its feet during the second act. I am prepared to vote with my feet if the meeting appears to be a waste of time.
See also: feet, vote
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
vote with one's feet
Indicate one's disapproval by walking out or emigrating, as in The service was so bad that we decided to vote with our feet, or Thousands of Hong Kong residents voted with their feet and left before the Chinese takeover . [Slang; mid-1900s]
See also: feet, vote
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
vote with your feet
COMMON If people vote with their feet, they show their dislike of a place, event or situation by leaving it. It seems thousands of people are already voting with their feet, and leaving the country in the hope of a better life. If the city's economic situation gets any worse, rich people will vote with their feet.
See also: feet, vote
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.
vote with your feet
indicate an opinion by being present or absent. 1982 Christian Order Uncounted thousands have ‘voted with their feet’, i.e., have left the Church.
See also: feet, vote
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌvote with your ˈfeet
show that you dislike or disagree with something by leaving a place or an organization: If shoppers don’t like the new market, they’ll vote with their feet and go elsewhere.See also: feet, vote
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
vote with one’s feet
in. to show one’s displeasure by walking out. When the audience votes with its feet, you know you don’t have a hit.
See also: feet, vote
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
vote with (one's) feet
Informal To indicate a preference or an opinion by leaving or entering a particular locale: "If older cities are allowed to decay and contract, can citizens who vote with their feet ... hope to find better conditions anywhere else?" (Melinda Beck).
See also: feet, vote
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
- vote with feet
- vote with one’s feet
- vote with one's feet
- vote with your feet
- in (one's) bad graces
- in someone's bad graces
- raise objection
- frown on
- frown on (something)
- give something the thumbs down