be off one’s legs—be resting:
- She didn’t know how long she could manage it, but for the time being at least she was off her legs.
Note: The expression is not antonymous in meaning to the phrase be on one’s legs—(also: be on one’s feet)
1. be standing up while working:
- His sciatica bothers him mainly after being on his legs all day.
2. get up (to speak, etc.):
- “It’s a lie!” Foe was on his legs, and he fairly shouted it.
3. recover after an illness:
- Willie is now in the Middlesex Military Hospital…. He is pro gressing favorably and soon hopes to be on his legs again.
be run off one’s legs —(also: be rushed off one’s legs) be tired to the point of exhaustion:
- The servers were run off their legs trying to keep the buffet tables supplied.