a social dance, in quadruple meter, performed by couples, characterized by various combinations of slow and quick steps.
a pace, as of a horse, consisting of a series of short steps, as in slackening from a trot to a walk.
An Americanism dating back to 1870–75
First recorded in 1915–20
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“You floated across that floor like butter on a crumpet,” he told British singer Frankie Bridge of her finely rendered fox trot on “Strictly Come Dancing.”
From Washington Post • Apr. 24, 2023
Nights were for parties, no-frills affairs with a disco ball, women in glittery gowns and a steady stream of cha-cha, fox trot, waltz, salsa, tango, bachata and occasional pop interludes.
From Washington Post • Jan. 24, 2023
Emanating from its doors late at night was music fit for the waltz, fox trot, tango and more.
From New York Times • Jan. 22, 2023
Taking on twisting, scenic routes in a nimble sports car with a manual transmission can feel like a masterful fox trot.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 24, 2018
“Well, ring us up if you find the chairs doing a fox trot or hesitation waltz in the middle of the night,” suggested Walter.
From The Motor Girls at Camp Surprise The Cave in the Mountains by Penrose, Margaret
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
