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Difference between Have a pied-à-terre and Have one’s feet on the ground

have a pied-à-terre—(Fr.) have an extra room or house which one keeps for use when needed:

  • Ian makes regular visits to Tuscany and to the island of Mallorca where he has a piedàterre.

have one’s feet on the ground —(also: have both feet on the ground) have a sensible and realistic attitude to life:

  • The book is written by a thoughtful, sensitive man who, nevertheless, has his feet on the ground.