put oneself in someone’s shoes—(also: put oneself in someone’s place) imagine oneself to be in smb.’s position or predicament:
- Lest the readers think that I am being too hard on Mr. Blair, or not “putting myself in his shoes,” let me briefly explain my situation.
step into someone’s shoes—succeed a person in a job, position, etc.:
- He will retire soon and there are several people hoping to step into his shoes.
Cf.: wait for dead men’s shoes—wait for the death of a person with the hope of succeeding to his possessions or office:
- The whole propertied class is waiting for dead men’s shoes all the time.
See also: be in someone’s shoes / fill someone’s shoes.