expression, godan verb (-ku)
be traced; be tracked down
Idiomatic expression used when a criminal or suspect is traced by evidence or clues, often involving footprints or other leads.
犯人は現場に残した指紋から足がついた。
The criminal was traced from the fingerprints left at the scene.
He was tracked down through the stolen goods and arrested.
expression, godan verb (-ku)
have a male lover
Archaic idiomatic usage referring to a woman having a male lover; rarely used in modern Japanese.
江戸時代の文献には「あの女には足がついている」という表現が見られる。
In Edo-period texts, one finds the expression 'that woman has a lover'.