What does "Land on your feet" mean?

To emerge from a difficult situation in a good position. To recover well from a setback, ending up in a good situation. Like a cat always landing on its feet.

How do you use "Land on your feet" in a sentence?

She was made redundant but landed on her feet with a better job. He always lands on his feet. Don't worry, you'll land on your feet.

Land on your feet

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

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Meaning: To emerge from a difficult situation in a good position.

从困境中成功脱身，最终处于有利位置。

Salir bien parado de una situación difícil.

困難な状況からうまく抜け出すこと。

어려운 상황에서 잘 빠져나오다, 운 좋게 좋은 결과를 얻다.

To recover well from a setback, ending up in a good situation. Like a cat always landing on its feet.

从挫折中很好地恢复，最终处于良好状态。就像猫总是用脚着地一样。

Recuperarse bien de un revés, acabando en una buena situación. Como un gato que siempre cae de pie.

挫折から見事に回復し、良い状況に落ち着くこと。猫がいつも足から着地するように。

좌절을 딛고 좋은 상황에 안착하는 것. 고양이가 항상 네 발로 착지하는 것에서 유래한 표현.

Literal meaning: Land safely on your feet (like a cat)

Examples

She was made redundant but landed on her feet with a better job.
她被裁员了，但找到了更好的工作，转危为安
La despidieron pero cayó de pie con un trabajo mejor
リストラされたが、より良い仕事に就いてうまく切り抜けた
그녀는 정리해고를 당했지만 더 좋은 직장을 구해 잘 빠져나왔다.
He always lands on his feet.
他总是能化险为夷
Él siempre cae de pie
彼はいつもうまくやる
그는 항상 잘 해낸다.
Don't worry, you'll land on your feet.
别担心，你会没事的
No te preocupes, caerás de pie
心配しないで、きっとうまくいくから
걱정 마, 잘 될 거야.

Pronunciation

/lænd ɒn jɔː fiːt/

Usage Guide

Context: recovery, luck, resilience

Tone: admiring, reassuring

✓ Do Say

She landed on her feet.
她转危为安了
Cayó de pie
彼女はうまく切り抜けた
그녀는 잘 빠져나왔어
He always lands on his feet.
他总能化险为夷
Siempre cae de pie
彼はいつもうまくやる
걔는 항상 잘 빠져나가
You'll land on your feet.
你会没事的
Caerás de pie
きっとうまくいくよ
잘 될 거야

✗ Don't Say

Recovered well
Recovered well（恢复得很好）
Recovered well（Se recuperó bien）
Recovered well（うまく回復した）
Recovered well (잘 회복했다)
Ended up okay
Ended up okay（结果还好）
Ended up okay（Acabó bien）
Ended up okay（結局うまくいった）
Ended up okay (결국 괜찮았다)

Common Mistakes

Often implies some luck involved
Can suggest someone is fortunate

Origin & History

From cats always landing on their feet when falling.

Etymology: English idiom

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Cat imagery; Common expression

Regional notes: Universal across English-speaking world.

Variations

Land on your feetLanded on her feetAlways lands on his feet