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.
Carrie Ann acknowledges the fox trot is a tough dance, especially for the first night, but says it’s clear that Monica put in a ton of effort.
From Washington Post • Sep. 15, 2020
He grew up doing the Latin dances — rumba, cha cha, danzón — but no fox trot in Mexico.
From New York Times • May 3, 2020
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
March 9; beginning-intermediate fox trot and swing dance lesson, 7 p.m., dance team performances and dancing, 8-10 p.m.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2018
And again we rode softly for miles over greensward through the cattle, at a gentle fox trot, so as not to disturb them.
From The Killer by White, Stewart Edward
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.
