lead foot

noun

plural lead feet
: a tendency to drive excessively fast
I'm not going to lie—I have a lead foot when it comes to driving. For some reason, when I'm out on the open road, I can't help but press a bit harder on the accelerator than I should. Just ask my car—she'll tell you.Caitlin Moran
… this is not your Aunt Bessie's Camry—unless your Aunt Bessie has a lead footMark Kennedy

Examples of lead foot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Think of pushing off with the back foot rather than overextending the lead foot. Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 29 July 2024 Voelcker said regen braking is different on every EV and some vehicles may be better than others for those with a lead foot. Morgan Korn, ABC News, 14 May 2024 This press car has been driven with lead feet for the past few thousand miles. Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 Despite the lead foot treatment, the average of 2.7 miles/kWh (23 kWh/100 km) matches the EPA efficiency estimate (expressed as 37 kWh/100 miles). Jonathan M. Gitlin, Ars Technica, 8 Dec. 2023 View Photos Our lead feet only averaged 19 mpg in the Bimmer, but our 75-mph highway average was an excellent 33 mpg. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 20 Mar. 2023 Our lead feet only averaged 19 mpg in the Bimmer, but our 75-mph highway average was an excellent 33 mpg. Csaba Csere, Car and Driver, 20 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1920, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lead foot was in 1920

Dictionary Entries Near lead foot

Cite this Entry

“Lead foot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lead%20foot. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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