set someone back on his feet—(also: put someone back on his feet)
1. make smb.’s position or means of living secure again:
- Count Puckler went to England in search of a rich heiress who would set him back on his feet financially.
2. (of medicine, etc.) cure a person:
- Right now she couldn’t even face the thought of the long drive home … but a short rest would set her back on her feet again.
set someone back on his heels —(coll.) take aback or disconcert a person:
- First, the question set me back on my heels, as I felt the sudden shift of responsibility onto my shoulders. But then it excited me.
Note: Neither expression correlates in meaning with the phrase set someone back—
1. cause a person to put smth. off or get behind schedule:
- Hurricane Charley has set us back by a week, so our summer fun program extends well into September.
2. (coll.) cause smb. to pay out or to lose a sum of money:
- Working professionals might meet with an unforeseen accident that might set them back by thousands of dollars.