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The idiom the shoe is on the other foot originated in the mid-19th century as the boot is on the other leg. It means that two people have reversed roles or circumstances, usually someone gaining or losing a position of power.
Boots and shoes did not originally have left or right sides, so this idiom dates back to when manufacturers made different shoes for left and right sides, so having a shoe on the wrong foot would be uncomfortable.
Boots and shoes did not originally have left or right sides, so this idiom dates back to when manufacturers made different shoes for left and right sides, so having a shoe on the wrong foot would be uncomfortable.
He changed jobs and found he was now the manager of his old boss, so the shoe is on the other foot.