pussyfoot

American  

[poos-ee-foot] / ˈpʊs iˌfʊt /

verb (used without object)

1. to go or move in a stealthy or cautious manner.

2. to act cautiously or timidly, as if afraid to commit oneself on a point at issue.

   Synonyms:

   straddle, sidestep, dodge, hedge

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noun

plural

pussyfoots

1. a person with a catlike, or soft and stealthy, tread.

2. Chiefly British. a teetotaler or prohibitionist.

pussyfoot British  

/ ˈpʊsɪˌfʊt /

verb

1. to move about stealthily or warily like a cat

2. to avoid committing oneself

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noun

1. a person who pussyfoots

Etymology

Origin of pussyfoot

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95; pussy ¹ + foot

Example Sentences

The President appeared on the portico and Pussyfoot Johnson pledged to the President the cooperation of those present in enforcing Prohibition.

From Time Magazine Archive

"Better hurry," says I. "Maybe Pussyfoot Johnson's down there now monkeying with the constitution."

From Torchy As A Pa by Ford, Sewell

The ex-M.P. possibly reflects now on the difficulties with which any attempts to introduce "Pussyfoot" legislation into India would be confronted in a land where some trees produce red wine spontaneously.

From The Days Before Yesterday by Hamilton, Frederick Spencer, Lord

"Pussyfoot" Johnson, whose effort to prohibitionize Scotland failed recently, was discussing his failure with a New York editor.

From More Toasts by Mosher, Marion Dix

This was accordingly done, to the immense dissatisfaction of the men, who probably regarded it as a forerunner of "Pussyfoot" legislation.

From The Days Before Yesterday by Hamilton, Frederick Spencer, Lord