noun
Refers to walking quietly so as not to be heard, often by lifting the foot and placing it down carefully. Commonly used in the set phrase 抜き足差し足 (ぬきあしさしあし) meaning 'tiptoeing stealthily'.
See also: 差し足
泥棒は抜き足で家の中に入った。
The burglar entered the house with stealthy footsteps.
彼は抜き足差し足で近づいた。
He approached on tiptoe, trying not to make a sound.
Compound of 抜き (nuki, 'pulling out, removing') + 足 (ashi, 'foot, step'), literally 'withdrawing step', referring to the action of lifting the foot quietly.