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to have a lead foot
01
to have a tendency to drive very fast
What is the origin of the idiom "have a lead foot" and when to use it?
The idiom "have a lead foot" originated from the literal sense of lead, a dense and heavy metal, used to describe someone who tends to press the accelerator pedal of a vehicle heavily, leading to excessive speed. The phrase is a colloquial way of expressing a tendency to drive fast or recklessly. Over time, it has become a figurative expression, conveying a person's inclination toward speeding or a lack of restraint when operating a vehicle.
Example
The police officer pulled him over for speeding, noting that he appeared to have a lead foot.
My friend claims to be a cautious driver, but he can't deny he has a lead foot when he's on the open highway.
The racing enthusiast admitted he has a lead foot on the track but is mindful of speed limits on regular roads.
She tends to have a lead foot when running late for appointments.
