step on a rake: meaning & examples

Meanings:

• 1.

  Generalneutral
  • To physically place one’s foot on the handle of a garden rake, causing the tines to flip up and strike the person who stepped on it.

  Examples

  Beta

  • While gardening, I accidentally stepped on a rake, and it swung up to hit me in the face.

    While gardening, I accidentally stepped on a rake, and it swung up to hit me in the face.

  • Be careful where you walk; I almost stepped on a rake lying behind the bushes.

    Be careful where you walk; I almost stepped on a rake lying behind the bushes.

  • He stepped on a rake and, as expected, the handle whipped up and struck his leg.

    He stepped on a rake and, as expected, the handle whipped up and struck his leg.

  • Stepping on a rake is a classic slapstick gag, but it can really hurt if you’re not cautious.

    Stepping on a rake is a classic slapstick gag, but it can really hurt if you’re not cautious.

• 2.

  Generalinformalcolloquial
  • To commit an obvious or clumsy blunder that backfires on the doer; to make a mistake that causes immediate and self-inflicted trouble.

  Examples

  Beta

  • He really stepped on a rake by promising results he couldn’t deliver and then failing publicly.

    He really stepped on a rake by promising results he couldn’t deliver and then failing publicly.

  • If you step on a rake in negotiations, it could ruin your credibility with the client.

    If you step on a rake in negotiations, it could ruin your credibility with the client.

  • I stepped on a rake when I criticized her work without knowing the full story, and she was offended.

    I stepped on a rake when I criticized her work without knowing the full story, and she was offended.