Meaning
- to begin taking part in a new activity
- to try or experience something new or risky (especially for the first time)
- to start doing something new in a simple and easy way to become familiar with it
- join something for the first time and have a whole new experience
Example Sentences
- Finally, you've decided to get your feet wet and enrolled in your singing classes.
- The hardest part of the skydiving experience was getting our feet wet; after that, everything was okay and easy.
- Snorkeling is the easiest and wisest way to get your feet wet before learning how to dive or scuba dive in the deep sea.
- Investing in small amounts is an easy way to get your feet wet in the stock market.
- Learning idioms is an easy way to get your feet wet in the quest to become a perfect English speaker.
Origin
The idiom dates back from the early 20th century; similar phrases were used more than 500 years earlier by Sir Lyly in England. Some people also believe that this idiom was copied from the holy Christian book when Gold told his servant Joshua to command all the priests who were carrying the holy ark to dip their feet in the pool of water to cleanse them in the eyes of God.
The idiom also was traced back to ancient Rome, where the anointing ritual for Cesar Amy had to let their feet wet before trying anything new in battle. This strategy played well for the Roman empire, and it's even considered influential in the Roman church.
In conclusion, getting one's feet wet simply means pushing you to try something or having some ideas on what the whole thing entails before you decide.
