The correct spelling of "were on feet" is pronounced as /wɜːr ɒn fiːt/. In this phrase, "were" is the past tense of "are". "On" is a preposition indicating the location of the action which is "feet". "Feet" is the plural form of the noun "foot", which refers to the lower part of the leg that touches the ground. As you can see, spelling may be tricky, but with IPA phonetic transcription, it becomes easier to understand the different sounds that make up a word.
"Were on feet" is an idiomatic expression used to describe a situation where individuals or a group of people are standing or on their feet rather than sitting or resting. This phrase indicates an active state or a need for physical movement.
The phrase "were on feet" suggests that people are not stationary or idle. It implies that individuals are actively engaged in some kind of activity, action, or task that requires them to be on their feet. This expression can be used to describe various situations, such as during a performance, event, or sports activity, where participants and spectators are standing up due to enthusiasm, applause, or excitement. It can also refer to situations where individuals are actively involved in physical work that requires them to be on their feet, such as in a factory, construction site, or any other labor-intensive job.
This phrase can also be metaphorical, representing a mental or emotional state. For example, if someone is described as being "on their feet" intellectually, it means they are mentally alert, active, and engaged. Similarly, being "on their feet" emotionally implies that someone is emotionally strong, resilient, and capable of handling challenging situations.
In summary, the idiomatic expression "were on feet" refers to a state where individuals or a group of people are actively involved, physically or mentally, in some undertaking or activity, usually requiring them to be standing or upright.