if the shoe fits, wear it: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  GeneralidiomaticinformalMachine
  • If a characterization, criticism, or label applies to someone, they should accept it rather than deny it.

  Examples

  Beta

  • When the criticism struck close to home, he said, if the shoe fits, wear it.

    Cuando la crítica le afectó personalmente, dijo: si el zapato te queda, póntelo.

  • If someone calls you out for your mistakes, just accept it if the shoe fits, wear it.

    Si alguien te señala tus errores, solo acéptalo: si el zapato te queda, póntelo.

  • She told him, 'If the shoe fits, wear it,' after he denied obvious faults.

    Ella le dijo: 'Si el zapato te queda, póntelo,' después de que él negara fallas evidentes.

• 3.

  GeneralliteralneutralMachine
  • A literal conditional statement: if a shoe fits a person's foot, that person should wear it.

  Examples

  Beta

  • If the shoe fits, wear it; otherwise, keep looking for the right size.

    If the shoe fits, wear it; otherwise, keep looking for the right size.

  • He said, 'Try this on — if the shoe fits, wear it,' as he handed me the sneakers.

    He said, 'Try this on — if the shoe fits, wear it,' as he handed me the sneakers.

  • We keep several sizes in stock because if the shoe fits, wear it, no matter the brand.

    We keep several sizes in stock because if the shoe fits, wear it, no matter the brand.

  • If the shoe fits, wear it; otherwise, it’s just going to cause blisters.

    If the shoe fits, wear it; otherwise, it’s just going to cause blisters.

• 2.

  GeneralidiomaticinformalMachine
  • If a method, tool, or solution proves effective, it is acceptable to use it regardless of origin or expectations.

  Examples

  Beta

  • This shortcut works well, so if the shoe fits, wear it regardless of where it comes from.

    Este atajo funciona bien, así que si te sirve, úsalo sin importar de dónde venga.

  • If the shoe fits, wear it: sometimes unconventional methods are the best solution.

    Si funciona, úsalo: a veces los métodos no convencionales son la mejor solución.

  • He didn't like the advice's source, but admitted if the shoe fits, wear it.

    No le gustó la fuente del consejo, pero admitió que si funciona, se debe usar.