walk all over sb

Definition & Meaning of "[walk] all over {sb}"

to walk all over sb

to treat a person poorly by taking advantage of them or ignoring their needs and feelings

What is the origin of the idiom "walk all over someone" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "walk all over someone" is not precisely documented, but it likely draws its imagery from the idea of physically walking on a person, which would be a clear demonstration of dominance or disregard. Over time, this physical act transformed into a figurative expression to describe situations where one person takes advantage of another, figuratively "walking" on them by asserting control, authority, or disrespect without any regard for the other person's feelings or rights. It is often used to criticize or express disapproval of individuals who take advantage of another person's kindness, passivity, or weakness.

to defeat someone without any difficulty

What is the origin of the idiom "walk all over someone" and when to use it?

The idiom "walk all over someone" is believed to have originated from the image of someone walking over another person as a sign of domination or disrespect. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where a person or a group dominates or defeats another person easily, without any real challenge or effort.