cool one's heels

/kuːl wʌnz hilz/
phrasal verb★Intermediate◆idiom
◆ What It Really Means
To wait patiently, often in an uncomfortable or inconvenient situation, usually due to being detained or delayed.
Literal Meaning
To make the back part of one's foot less hot.
Literal Breakdown
coolto make or become less hot+one's heelsthe back part of the foot
◇ Mental Image
The mental image is of someone sitting or standing still for a long time, possibly in an uncomfortable position, while their heels (the back part of their feet) cool down, suggesting a period of enforced waiting.
◈ When to Use
A person is detained at a police station for hours after being arrested, forced to wait impatiently while their heels cool down.
◉ Cultural Note
This idiom reflects the common human experience of frustration and impatience while waiting, often in situations where one has no control over the delay.
informal

To wait patiently, often in an uncomfortable or inconvenient situation, usually due to being detained or delayed.

After being arrested, he had to cool his heels in the police station for hours.

The passengers were forced to cool their heels at the airport due to the flight delay.

💡

This idiom often implies frustration or impatience while waiting.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

twiddle one's thumbsidiom
To wait idly, often doing nothing
bide one's timeidiom
To wait patiently for an opportunity

💡Pro Tip

Usage Context

This phrase is best used in informal or conversational contexts, especially when describing frustration or impatience while waiting.

📖Word Origin

The phrase likely originates from the idea of cooling one's heels (the back part of the foot) while sitting or standing still for a long time, suggesting a period of enforced waiting.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is commonly used in informal contexts to describe situations where someone is forced to wait, often against their will.

Word Breakdown

cool
to make or become less hot
root
+
one's heels
the back part of the foot
phrase
English Dictionary