足あし抜ぬき

noun

absconding without repaying debts (by geisha, prostitutes, etc.)

Obsolete term from the Edo period referring to indentured women fleeing without settling their loans.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だい、遊ゆう女じょの足あし抜ぬきは重じゅう罪ざいだった。

  In the Edo period, a courtesan's absconding was a serious crime.

noun

escape from a difficult situation

Archaic figurative extension of the absconding sense; rarely used in modern Japanese.

• 彼かれは借しゃっ金きんからの足あし抜ぬきを図はかった。

  He attempted an escape from his debts.

noun

stealthy footsteps

Archaic synonym for 抜き足; now almost exclusively seen in historical texts.

See also: 抜き足

• 足あし抜ぬきで近ちかづく忍しのびの者もの。

  A ninja approaching with stealthy footsteps.