How do you use the word "afoot" in a sentence?

Here are real-life examples of using "afoot": Big changes are afoot. "The game's afoot" is Holmes's laconic call to action.

Afoot Meaning

/əˈfʊt/

Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.

Definition

advOn foot. (means of locomotion, walking)

advOn foot. (support of the body, standing)

Sentence Examples

Big changes are afoot.

"The game's afoot" is Holmes's laconic call to action.

There is a movement afoot and nobody is noticing it.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms:

current moving underway

Antonyms:

None

CEFR Practice Quiz

Rumors were ____ that the company would soon lay off workers.

CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)

There are several new plans ____ to improve the city's public transit.

Word Origin & History

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Hellenic *ə- Ancient Greek ἀ- (a-)der. English a- English foot English afoot From a- + foot.

Literary Quotations & Historical Citations

"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:

"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:

"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:

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