land on one's feet

Definition & Meaning of "[land] on {one's} feet"

to land on one's feet

to experience success or good fortune, particularly after a period of facing challenges or setbacks

What is the origin of the idiom "land on one's feet" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "land on one's feet" is believed to come from the image of a cat falling from a height and always landing on its feet. The phrase suggests that someone is able to recover from a difficult situation and emerge successfully, much like a cat that always lands safely on its feet. It is used to describe a situation where someone is able to recover from a difficult situation and come out of it successfully. It implies that the person is resilient and able to adapt to changing circumstances in order to achieve success.

Example

Startled by a loud noise, the cat plunged off the windowsill and landed on its feet.

Despite the initial setbacks, the new project faced, the team worked hard and managed to land on their feet with a successful product launch.

Despite ending a long-term relationship, Sarah landed on her feet by reconnecting with old friends and finding new hobbies that brought her joy and fulfillment.

Despite losing his job, Mark was able to land on his feet and find a better position with a different company.

Following the company restructuring, many employees feared job loss, but fortunately, most of them landed on their feet with new opportunities within the organization.