you cannot put the same shoe on every foot
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A method or technique that works in one situation does not necessarily work in all situations.
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Application of the adage that "you cannot put the same shoe on every foot" produces no hardship whatsoever, since the terms of the trust may be made exactly to fit the business to be undertaken.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “you cannot put the same shoe on every foot” mean?
A method or technique that works in one situation does not necessarily work in all situations.
Is “you cannot put the same shoe on every foot” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.