light-footv.
/ˈlʌɪtfʊt/, /ˌlʌɪtˈfʊt/, U.S. /ˈlaɪtˌfʊt/ colloquial (originally U.S.).
transitive (with it) and intransitive. To tread lightly; to move fleetly, nimbly. Also figurative.
ΘΚΠ
the world > movement > bodily movement > move the body or a member [verb (intransitive)] > move nimbly
nimble1519
light-foot1887
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk, tread, or step [verb (intransitive)] > lightly
trip?a1400
tripplea1640
link1718
tap1749
pat1767
tip1819
flip1862
light-foot1887
soft-foot1913
the world > movement > progressive motion > walking > walk upon or tread [verb (transitive)] > tread lightly
overtripa1583
pat1703
trip1749
light-foot1887
soft-foot1912
the world > movement > rate of motion > swiftness > swift movement in specific manner > move or cause to move swiftly in specific manner [verb (transitive)] > move swiftly
lakec1275
accelerate1722
light-foot1887
1887 M. W. Wildrick Zealot in Tulle i. 12 How cold the wind! In the vineyard the sun expired not like this, but burning upon the vines, to songs of sweethearts light-footing it upon the hills.
1916 McBride's Mag. Jan. 118/1 He had light-footed it through various business ventures.
1988 M. Bishop Unicorn Mountain (1989) iv. 51 Sam crashed forward a step or two, wondering how they could have lightfooted it off without his even hearing them.
2009 C. Neilan Abattoir Jack v. 35 ‘Wait 'til you see the inside,’ says Hec, and he light-foots over toward one of the archways.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, December 2021).
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v.1887