Fill someone’s shoes means, as you can see, “fill someone’s shoes” (or “fill someone’s shoes”, as the Google translator, always full of good intentions, suggests). But what this idiom really means is “taking someone’s place” or “filling someone’s position.”
Generally, this expression is used in the negative to say, for example, that “no one will be able to fill his place” – that is, that no one will measure up to him.
In the phrases below (which you can add to Anki to review later), you see how the phrase fill someone’s shoes can be used.
Enjoy it!
You do so much for the company that I don’t see how anyone could fill your shoes .
You do so much for the company that I don’t see how anyone could take your place .
Not many people could fill the old man’s shoes .
Few people could take the old man’s place .
It’ll take a good man to fill our old boss’s shoes .
It’s going to take a good man to take our old boss’s place .
No one will be able to fill her shoes after she retires.
No one will be able to fill her place after she retires.
The senator will step down this year, but two well-known Republicans are ready to fill his shoes .
The senator will step down this year, but two well-known Republicans are ready to take his place .
John expects his son to fill his shoes at the store.
John expects his son to take his place in the store.
It’ll be hard to find someone to fill her shoes when she retires.
It will be difficult to find someone to take her place when she retires.
There are a couple kids who can fill their shoes .
There are some kids who can fill their place .
Anyone can become a pop idol these days, but the number of genuine legends is shrinking and it is debatable who can fill their shoes .
Anyone can become a pop idol in these times, but the amount of genuine legends is disappearing and it’s doubtful (know) who can fill their place .
I decided to move on, and I’m sure there are plenty of good, young guys capable of filling my shoes .
I’ve decided to leave, and I’m sure there are plenty of good young guys able to take my place .
(Note the various uses of move on in this article here .)
How about today’s post ? Any questions or observations to make? As always, we are all ears – or rather eyes! Leave your comment down there and we’ll get right back to you .
