set foot

Physically arrive somewhere

To set foot somewhere is to enter or arrive at that place: I've never set foot in Europe.

The phrase almost always appears with negatives or in conditional contexts, emphasizing the significance of presence or absence: Don't ever set foot in this house again.

It suggests a deliberate or meaningful crossing of a threshold.

arrival

step

Foot movement forward

  • treadSurface that grips ground
  • landEarth's solid surface
  • arriveReach a destination

disembark · alight · touch down · reach · dock · moor · anchor · ashore · cross · threshold

entry

enter

Pass into a space

  • treadSurface that grips ground
  • crossPass from side to side
  • ventureRisky new undertaking

access · penetrate · breach · intrude · trespass · invade · visit · explore · pioneer · walk into

Categories
Opposites
physical presence

set footleave

Sanctioned time away

exit · stay away from · vacate · abandon · avoid

action vs. intention

set footcontemplate

Consider something thoroughly

stay home · keep one's distance · envision

Family

set, foot, setting, footing, sets, footprint, reset, outset, footed

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G