Hotfoot: meaning, definitions and examples
🏃♂️
hotfoot
[ ˈhɒt.fʊt ]
to hurry away
To hotfoot means to leave a place hurriedly or to make a quick departure. This term suggests a sense of urgency or the need to escape quickly, often due to a pressing situation. It can be used in various scenarios, such as when someone needs to evade attention or simply rush to their next destination. The expression conveys a sense of speed and energetic movement.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She hotfooted it out of the meeting when her phone rang.
- After the concert, the fans hotfooted it to the exits.
- Realizing he was late, he hotfooted his way to the bus stop.
quick escape
Hotfoot can also refer to a quick escape or a sudden rush away from a location. This usage often implies a need to leave due to urgent circumstances. It can describe situations where someone has to act quickly to avoid something undesirable or uncomfortable. The term emphasizes the fast-paced nature of leaving.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The hotfoot from the party was evident as everyone rushed to their cars.
- His hotfoot from the scene left everyone in shock.
- In a hotfoot, they managed to catch the last train.
Translations
Translations of the word "hotfoot" in other languages:
🇵🇹 fugir rapidamente
🇮🇳 जल्दी भागना
🇩🇪 schnell weggehen
🇮🇩 melarikan diri dengan cepat
🇺🇦 втікати швидко
🇵🇱 uciekać szybko
🇯🇵 急いで逃げる
🇫🇷 s'enfuir rapidement
🇪🇸 huir rápidamente
🇹🇷 hızla kaçmak
🇰🇷 급히 도망치다
🇸🇦 يهرب بسرعة
🇨🇿 rychle utéct
🇸🇰 rýchlo ujsť
🇨🇳 快速逃跑
🇸🇮 hitro pobegniti
🇮🇸 flýja hratt
🇰🇿 жылдам қашу
🇬🇪 სწრაფად გაქცევა
🇦🇿 tez qaçmaq
🇲🇽 huir rápidamente
Etymology
The term 'hotfoot' is believed to have originated in the early 19th century, derived from the combination of 'hot' and 'foot'. The word 'hot' has connotations of heat, urgency, and intensity, while 'foot' refers to movement. This compound term metaphorically suggests that someone is moving quickly, as if their feet are hot and urging them to run. The earliest recorded usage appeared around the 1830s, where it conveyed the idea of hastily leaving a place due to pressing circumstances. Over time, 'hotfoot' has evolved in colloquial English to be associated predominantly with the action of leaving quickly, particularly in a situation requiring immediate action or response. The usage has maintained its informal character, often appearing in spoken language and casual writing.
Word Frequency Rank
At position #41,044, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.