PhrasesHub

Cool your heels

    Definitions

      • wait patiently
        To advise someone to remain calm and be patient while waiting for something to happen, especially in a situation where they are feeling anxious or eager for a specific outcome

      • delay or postpone
        To suggest a temporary pause or delay in a task or activity, often due to unforeseen circumstances or the need for further preparation or planning

      • calm down or relax
        To encourage someone to take a break and relax, especially if they are feeling stressed or overwhelmed by a situation or task

    Examples of Cool your heels

    • The job applicant was asked to cool his heels in the waiting room for another hour.

      This idiom is used when someone is asked to wait for a long time without any specific reason. It originated from the old practice of making people wait in a hallway or lobby (heels being the back part of the shoes) before being allowed to enter a room.

    • The customer was made to cool his heels in the bank for two hours due to a system failure.

      This idiom is used when someone is forced to wait due to circumstances beyond their control. It highlights the frustration and annoyance that comes with being kept waiting for an unreasonably long time.

    • The police officer asked the suspect to cool his heels in the lockup until his lawyer arrived.

      This idiom is used when someone is detained or imprisoned, especially for a short period of time, until a particular event occurs. It implies that the person is not being treated as a criminal, but rather as someone who is being temporarily held for a specific reason.

    • The sales manager asked the sales team to cool their heels for the rest of the day due to a sudden change in the market conditions.

      This idiom is used when someone is asked to take a break or leave work for a specific period of time, usually due to unforeseen circumstances. It highlights the need to wait and see how things develop before taking any further action.

    • The politician was forced to cool his heels in the opposition party for two years before being allowed to switch sides.

      This idiom is used when someone is required to wait for a specific period of time before being allowed to do something, especially if they are trying to change their position or affiliation. It implies that the person has to bide their time and wait for the right opportunity to present itself.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "cool your heels" is primarily used to advise someone to wait patiently and remain calm in a situation. It can also suggest a temporary delay or pause in a task, or encourage someone to take a break and relax. Overall, the idiom conveys the message of being patient and composed in challenging or uncertain circumstances.

    Origin of "Cool your heels"

    The origin of the idiom "cool your heels" can be traced back to the 16th century when it was used in the context of cooling metal heels after being heated for forging. The phrase was first recorded in a play by John Heywood, "A Woman Killed with Kindness" in 1603. However, it was not until the 19th century that the idiom gained its current meaning of being patient or waiting calmly.

    The phrase "cool your heels" was originally used in a literal sense, but over time, it evolved to have a figurative meaning. The idea behind the idiom is that cooling metal heels takes time, just like waiting patiently requires time and patience. It is also believed that the phrase may have been influenced by the phrase "to cool one's heels" which meant to be put in a place of inactivity or confinement.

    Today, the idiom "cool your heels" is commonly used in informal settings to advise someone to remain calm and composed while waiting for something. It has also become a popular phrase to encourage someone to take a break and relax when feeling stressed or overwhelmed.