seven-league boots

[ sev-uhn-leeg ]

plural noun

1. fairy-tale boots enabling the wearer to reach seven leagues at a stride.

Word History and Origins

Origin of seven-league boots¹

1805–15; translation of French bottes de sept lieues in the fairy tales of C. Perrault, especially Le petit Poucet ( English Hop-o'-my-Thumb )

Example Sentences

After a little rest, we again sported our seven-league boots, and took a solitary ramble across the Wye.

From Project Gutenberg

I had yet to reach the end of the ridge—a task requiring seven-league boots.

From Project Gutenberg

And it strikes me that if we were to put on my seven-league boots we should go much faster.

From Project Gutenberg

The soldier took the seven-league boots, the invisible cap, sat down upon the flying carpet and went to look for his kingdom.

From Project Gutenberg

Though it flew like a bird, the prince was quite able to keep pace with it, because he had on the seven-league boots.

From Project Gutenberg