"If the shoe fits, wear it"

Click to see Vol. I, Issue 4 of the newsletter in which this article first appeared.

Proverb: "If the shoe fits, wear it."

• Sometimes we say only half of the proverb: "If the shoe fits..."

Meaning: Accept things the way they are. If you did something wrong, take the blame!

• Some people think the expression may be related to the story of Cinderella, who lost a glass slipper at the Prince's ball, and became Princess when it was discovered that the "shoe fit." However, the original expression was, "If the cap fits…" and it has been suggested this was the dunce cap worn by poor students long ago.

Mini-Dialogue:

Eddie: Christina just called me fat!
Flo: I'm not saying I agree, but if the shoe fits...!

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QUESTION:

1. In which situation would you use the proverb, "If the shoe fits, wear it"?
   A. Your friend says he's been working hard and someone calls him lazy.
   B. Your friend says his room is always clean and someone calls him a pig.
   C. Your friend says he's failed all of his tests and someone calls him dumb.