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3. put the boot in

put the boot in

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put the boot in

  (British informal)

1. to make a bad situation worse He lost his job and then his wife put the boot in by announcing she was leaving him.

2. to attack someone by kicking them again and again, usually when they are lying on the ground Four lads pushed him down and then put the boot in.

See the boot is on the other foot

See also: boot, put