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抜き足差し足忍び足 (ぬきあしさしあししのびあし) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
noun
stealthy footsteps ; tiptoeing
Describes moving quietly and carefully, often to avoid being noticed. The phrase breaks down into three components: 抜き足 (lifting the foot silently), 差し足 (placing it down gently), and 忍び足 (sneaking). Used as a set phrase.
See also: 抜き足差し足
He left the room on tiptoe.
Kanji 抜 slip out, extract, pull out 足 leg, foot, be sufficient 差 distinction, difference, variation 忍 endure, bear, put up with Similar words 抜ぬ き 足あし 差さ し 足あし A shorter version of the same phrase, omitting 忍び足. It carries the same meaning of stealthy walking but is less emphatic.
忍しの び 足あし Refers specifically to sneaking or tiptoeing. 抜き足差し足忍び足 is a more elaborate and emphatic expression combining three related concepts.
Etymology A compound of three noun phrases: 抜き足 (lifting foot), 差し足 (placing foot forward), and 忍び足 (sneaking foot). The exact origin is uncertain, but it likely developed as an idiomatic expression to vividly describe silent, careful walking.
