afoot

American  

[uh-foot] / əˈfʊt /

adverb

1. on foot; walking.

   I came afoot.

2. astir; in progress.

   There is mischief afoot.

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afoot British  

/ əˈfʊt /

adjective

1. in circulation or operation; astir

   mischief was afoot

2. on or by foot

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Etymology

Origin of afoot

First recorded in 1175–1225, afoot is from Middle English a fote, on fote. See a- ¹, foot

Explanation

Something that's afoot is already happening, underway, or being prepared. You might reassure your fellow French club members that plans are afoot for a fund raiser to support your upcoming trip to Québec. People frequently say that plans are afoot when they've started preparing for a party, an election campaign, a job hunt, or anything else that requires some planning. Plans might be afoot for your dad's surprise party, for example, or your sister's wedding. Another, less common way to use afoot is to mean "on foot," or "walking." You could tell your teacher that you're late to school because you missed the bus and had to travel afoot.

Example Sentences

The Game's Afoot or Holmes for the Holidays A 1930s actor renowned for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes must solve an actual murder in Ken Ludwig's farce.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 12, 2015

Afoot and in wagons, they converged on Chichester Cathedral, whose distant spire was a grey needle against the sea.

From Time Magazine Archive

Something's Afoot is a thimbleful of nonsense that turns into a flagon of fun.

From Time Magazine Archive

The only question to ponder in Something's Afoot is which guest at a mid-'30s English country manor will be stiffed next, and how.

From Time Magazine Archive

Afoot and in the open road, one has a fair start in life at last.

From Winter Sunshine by Burroughs, John