To be in someone's shoes

Context #1

Christine: I heard that Jane's going to break up with her boyfriend.

Veronica: Yeah, she caught him cheating on her. I would break up with him too if I were in her shoes.

Context #2

David: Due to the recent budget cuts, I have to lay off 2 people next month.

Steve: That's going to be hard because I know your employees all have families to care for. I wouldn't want to be in your shoes.

David: Gee, thanks!

Meaning: "to be in someone's shoes" means to be in their situation.  It is used to think about what your would do if you were facing the same things that they are facing.

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