vote with one's feet

Etymology
Probably based on the practice of in the, but the phrase in its modern sense was popularized by , through whom it gained some currency in left-wing parlance in various languages. It became more widely known when Western journalists and politicians started using it, not without mockery, in reference to those millions who fled Communist East Germany towards the West between 1945 and the erection of the in 1961.

Verb

 * 1)  To express one's preferences through one's actions, by voluntarily participating in or withdrawing from an activity, group, or process; especially, by physical migration to leave a situation one does not like, or to move to a situation one regards as more beneficial.
 * 2) * 1958 December 8, "Most Useful Satellite", Time:
 * But Khrushchev's economic plan for the East Germans means a new kind of dependence on their old Russian foes, and its fulfillment is a political question—on which East Germans, whatever their phony 99.9% elections say, still vote with their feet by fleeing West at the rate of 2,000 a week.
 * 1) * 1985 May 13, "Business Notes Airlines", Time:
 * TWA expects that its lounger will keep it flying high in transatlantic business, where it now leads all other airlines. Says Jesse Liebman, a TWA vice president: "Passengers vote with their feet."
 * TWA expects that its lounger will keep it flying high in transatlantic business, where it now leads all other airlines. Says Jesse Liebman, a TWA vice president: "Passengers vote with their feet."

Related terms

 * foot voting
 * vote with one's wallet

Translations

 * Arabic:
 * Armenian: քվեարկել ոտքերով
 * Catalan: votar amb els peus
 * Chinese:
 * Cantonese: 用腳投票
 * Mandarin: 用腳投票
 * Czech: hlasovat nohama
 * Dutch: met de voeten stemmen
 * Finnish:
 * French: aller à la pêche,
 * German: mit den Füßen abstimmen
 * Hindi:
 * Italian:
 * Japanese:
 * Korean:
 * Polish: głosować nogami, zagłosować nogami
 * Portuguese: votar com os pés
 * Russian:
 * Spanish:
 * Swedish: rösta med fötterna
 * Vietnamese: bỏ phiếu bằng chân