1882. McCabe, New York, XXI., 333. The transactions of ‘the Street’ foot up an almost fabulous sum daily.
1884. G. A. S[ala], in Ill. Lon. News, 29 March, p. 294, col. 3. They foot up (American English) to an almost alarming amount in thousands of dollars.
To put one’s best foot (or leg) foremost, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To use all possible despatch; to exert oneself to the utmost.
1596. Shakspeare, King John, iv., 2. Nay, but make haste; the better foot before.
To put one’s foot into anything, verb. phr. (colloquial).—To make a mess of it; to get into a scrape. The bishop (i.e., the Devil) has put his foot in it (Old English proverb) is said of burned porridge or over-roasted meat.—Grose. Fr., faire une gaffe.
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf, s.v. [[54]]
1888. Daily Telegraph, 7 May. Faire une gaffe, in modern Parisian slang, may be best rendered as to put your foot in it.
To have one foot (or leg) in the grave, verb. phr. (common).—On one’s last legs; measured for a funeral sermon. Also as adj.
1825. English Spy, i., pp. 199–200. With one leg in the grave he’ll laugh.
1890. Globe, 15 May, p. 5, col. 2. One-foot-in-the-grave paralytic sort of people.