抜ぬき足あし差さし足あし忍しのび足あし

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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.

Kanji

抜slip out, extract, pull out
足leg, foot, be sufficient
差distinction, difference, variation
忍endure, bear, put up with

Related 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.

Built from

抜ぬき足あし差さし足あし+忍しのび足あし

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.