Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic)To maintainpersonal,social,political, orlegalpressureon someone in order toinducethem tocomplywith one's desires; to hold someoneaccountablefor their actions.1917September 3, “Governor Sued for Large Sum”, inEvening Independent, Florida, US, retrieved17 April 2009, page 3:In this letter the governor explained that he was being threatened with impeachment and needed all the jobs in his gift to stave off such proceedings and to "hold the feet of members of the legislature to the fire."1988March 5, Neil A. Lewis, “U.S. Insists Soviet Stop Sending Arms to Afghan Regime”, inNew York Times, retrieved 17 Apr. 2009:We want tohold the Administration's feet to the fireto secure a decent agreement.2005Dec. 19,Julia Keller, "Today's journalists don't know Jack—but ought to" (obituary forJack N. Anderson),Chicago Tribune(retrieved 17 Apr. 2009):He kept tabs on presidents, monitored members of Congress,held bureaucrats' feet to the fire.
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