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

See Examples For:

afoot

Though she described the settlement as a done deal, she obliquely suggested changes might still be afoot.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026

A similar spirit of reconciliation seems to be afoot in Wisconsin.

From Slate ● Aug. 14, 2026

He said he was also joining forces with other mayors for a "Great Northern" Olympic bid across the north of England, and a plan was also afoot to host the Ryder Cup in Bolton.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

In Georgia Bernstein’s alluringly listless “Night Nurse,” something is afoot at a luxury retirement community.

From Salon ● Jul. 15, 2026

There, as always, we were welcomed, fed, and housed for the night; the next day we went on afoot.

From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin