Put one’s best foot forward

To put one's best foot forward is a metaphor for making the best possible start in any endeavour. Shakespeare used a similar version, but did not coin the expression. In King John Act IV, Scene II, he wrote, “Nay, but make haste; the better foot before.” That was in 1595, so the expression was in use from at least the late 16th century. A short while later, in 1613, in his poem, A Wife, Thomas Overbury wrote, “He is still setting the best foot forward.” Some sources suggest even older origins, going back to Roman times. Entering a room with the left foot first was a sign of bad luck for the Romans, so the best foot forward for them was the right foot.