[General] put one’s best leg first = set my best foot first

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you help to me to make the proper choice of the meaning of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Now you must put your best leg first, old lady!' whispered Sowerberry in the old woman’s ear.' (Ch. Dickens[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]'Oliver Twist')[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
I set my best foot first and whenever I met in with any one I cried out there was a wreck ashore' (R.L. Stevenson
'Kidnapped')
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]put one’s best leg first = set my best foot first = walk fast[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

 

[riquecohen]

Dear teachers,

Would you help to me to make the proper choice of the meaning of the expressions in bold in the following sentences?

[FONT=&quot]Now you must put your best leg first, old lady!' whispered Sowerberry in the old woman’s ear.' (Ch. Dickens[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]'Oliver Twist')[/FONT]

I set my best foot first and whenever I met in with any one I cried out there was a wreck ashore' (R.L. Stevenson
'Kidnapped')

[FONT=&quot]put one’s best leg first = set my best foot first = walk fast[/FONT]

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

I've never seen this expression. Nowadays, we say "put ypur best foot forward." It generally means that you should begin something, such as a job, in the best way possible or make as good an impression as possible.