afoot meaning: definition, etymology and quotations

afoot

adv

/əˈfʊt/ · SC /əˈfʉt/

Etymology From a- + foot.

On foot. (means of locomotion, walking)

Is it fit, let your mightyship say, / That I, like some pitiful flirt, / Should tarry within doors all day, / Or else trudge it afoot in the dirt?1765, Robert Dodsley, A Collection of Poems in Six Volumes, volume 6, page 295:
"The dogs were no sooner let loose, than the hare was afoot.1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 77:

On foot. (support of the body, standing)

Figuratively In motion; in action; astir; stirring; in progress.

Hamlet: […]I prithee, when thou seest that act afoot, / Even with the very comment of thy soul / Observe mine uncle:[…]c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:
Possibly some chemical experiment was afoot; possibly----Well, it was no business of mine to speculate upon why he wanted it.1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “(please specify the page)”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton, →OCLC:

3 more examples

In San Francisco and in New Jersey, to quote two other examples, plans are afoot to subsidise new commuter line construction or existing operations out of toll revenue from state highways or bridges.1959 October, “Talking of Trains: Paying for the commuters”, in Trains Illustrated, page 458:
‘Patience,’ said Slartibartfast again. ‘Great things are afoot.’¶ ‘That's what you said last time we met,’ said Arthur.¶ ‘They were,’ said Slartibartfast.¶ ‘Yes, that's true,’ admitted Arthur.¶ All, however, that seemed to be afoot was a ceremony of some kind.1982 August, Douglas Adams, Life, the Universe and Everything (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; 3), London: Pan Books, →ISBN, page 29:
“Has anyone seen Laszlo? I can't find him anywhere. And it's really not like him.” “Oh... Laszlo's missing, eh?” “Yeah.” “Mm, the game is afoot.”2023 August 31, William Meny & Paul Simms, “A Weekend at Morrigan Manor” (9:23 from the start), in What We Do in the Shadows, season 5, episode 9, spoken by Colin Robinson (Mark Proksch):

adj

Etymology From a- + foot.

That is on foot, in motion, in action, in progress.

Sunny moves through these final days quickly, easily, buoyed by routine even though change is afoot in all directions.2011, Maile Chapman, Your Presence Is Requested at Suvanto: A Novel:
Now there are plans afoot to introduce a couple of extra trains to the timetable in December, with the long-term goal of a doubling of the service to eight trains a day.2019 October, James Abbott, “Esk Valley revival”, in Modern Railways, page 76:

1 more example

“These poor exocomps are being tortured with meaningless, repetitive tasks. I knew there was foul play afoot.”2023 October 12, Edgar Momplaisir, “A Few Badgeys More” (19:19 from the start), in Star Trek: Lower Decks, season 4, episode 7, spoken by AGIMUS (Jeffrey Combs):