Hi,
It seems that nowadays “to fill boots” definitely has the meaning “to raise one’s cups” which the following proves:
The notoriously publicity-shy director failed to pick up the trophy, which was instead accepted by two of the film’s producers.
“I have some very big boots to fill, as Terrence is very shy and I managed to speak to him earlier and he was very happy,” said producer William Pohlad.
I’ve not heard “to raise one’s cups” that way before.
Hi Goldhat,
Just compare: We’ve got some video of the United players celebrating their 19th English league title and 12th in the Premier League. There’s also a title-by-title guide to United’s magnificent dozen, as well as pictures of all 19 title wins in a superb gallery. Fill those boots.
-Can you interpret it otherwise than that? Should I ‘live’ a bit closer to NY Time’s FAQ column, I would’ve put them the question. Would you?
Regards.
Sorry for the misnaming: ’ NY Times’es’ it should be.
I think you might be slightly confused, Eugene.
To ‘fill someone’s boots’ as used in post #1 means to replace somebody in a task or job:
I don’t know whether I’ll be able to fill the boots of the last manager.
“Fill your boots” as an expression of freedom to do something is similar to ‘don’t hold back’. It is commonly linked to drinking alcohol:
The wedding festivities have begun so fill your boots!
'Raise your glasses (also ‘raise your cups’ is an expression used when making a toast to someone:
Raise your glasses to the bride and groom!
To be ‘in one’s cups’ means to be drunk.
He fell off the wagon this afternoon and is well and truly in his cups now.
Hi Beees, and thank you for your remarks.
Digging into Net for a while, revealed: 1) We use the expression “fill your boots” a lot in the Australian Defence Force. We say it as a means to go ahead. I had a look around at the origin of the meaning… There is also a refence to a HMS boat where the “boot” is a drinking cup and when rations of rum were provided sailors were told to “fill your boots”.
2)Fill your boots isn’t the same as fill his shoes (which we also have in the UK), and it (the boots collocation) means a bit more than help yourself - it means help youself using every possible container; I think it was applied originally to pirates plundering a rich prize. I hear it most in cricket commentaries - when a bowling attack is very weak, and the batting side fill their boots by scoring freely (which gets away from the idea of ‘containers’, but develops the idea of ‘easy pickings’).
3)1. Invite another to help themselves to their optimal capacity or
2. Attempt a difficult task or ordeal.
-
HE: Are these sweets free?
SHE: Fill your boots. -
HE: I’m going over there to crack on to Naomi Campbell!
SHE: Fill your boots!
4)I’ve found “fill your boots” used with two basic meanings. It’s used, as in your example, as an exhortation to “Go for it!” or “Get up and get going! Just do it!” But it’s also used in the more particular sense of “take as much as you want” or “take advantage of the situation” (“There’s an open bar and a free buffet, so fill your boots, boys.”).
So, considering the options, yes, “I have some very big boots to fill, as Terrence is very shy…” corresponds well with " to replace somebody in a task or job." But #2 leaves space for imagination, to my mind. “Help yourselves to viewing the gallery of their wins” - sounds plausible. Meanwhile, highly appropriate way to express the feelings of millions of fans could be “Raise your cups for those glorious Man Utd guys at the moment of their climax.”
I would combine both ways of celebrating.
Regards.
Yes, Eugene,
I knew that and had already posted something about it on these forums in another thread:
Knock yourself out
However, you have used the expression ‘raise one’s cups’ indicating that it means the same as at least one of the definitions of ‘fill your boots’. This is where I think you might be confused. Can you provide any reference to the expression ‘raise your cups’ other than when making a toast? I cannot find any other usage. (Even with the toast, I would expect to see ‘raise your glasses’ unless it were a meeting of tee-totallers!)
Yes, Beees,
It was just a sequel on “How Hard It To Be a Non-Native” when, keeping in mind ‘a goblet’ and seeing it raised, you name it ‘a cup’, for both of them sound identically in my native. Whoever in sound mind would raise a cup on the occasion like that? Shame on me!
Thank you for your sobering ‘tee-totallers’!
Regards.