one foot out the door

== English == === Noun === one foot out the door Indicates being on the verge of or in the process of (and sometimes eagerness for) leaving (a place, a relationship, life, etc). 2016 January 14, When Your Partner Wants Non-Monogamy and You Don't, in Psychology Today: If you are unhappy in your relationship and considering polyamory as a “one-foot-out-the-door” strategy, please reconsider. 2018, Antoinette Zam, Scarred by Death: "Interns try and turn in at least two or three reports a week. Like I said, I have one foot out the door, so here is a little advice. It's not quantity, it's quality they look for." 2022, Frank O'Brien, quoted in Tangled Goods: The Practical Life of Pro Bono Advertising by Iddo Tavory, Sonia Prelat, and Shelly Ronen, page 91: "The next thing you know it's six weeks later. Your whole team is stressed and one foot out the door." 2026 January 21, Ally Beardlsey, my boss is sabotaging my clown career (w/ Ally Beardsley), Perfect Person (podcast) episode 185 (c. 5:57): It's insane that they bring you a normal-looking plate and go "it's very hot". [...] And I'm like ... so, did it need to rest for another minute or two? I didn't come in here saying I'm one foot out the door. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see one,‎ foot,‎ out,‎ the,‎ door. === See also === one foot in the grave