noun
sliding feet; shuffling
General term for walking without lifting the feet, often producing a shuffling sound. Used in everyday contexts.
疲れてすり足で歩いていた。
I was so tired I was walking with a shuffle.
廊下ですり足の音が聞こえた。
I heard the sound of shuffling feet in the hallway.
noun
sliding step; suriashi
Sumo-specific technique: advancing with feet sliding on the ground without lifting them, maintaining a low center of gravity.
力士はすり足で土俵を進む。
The sumo wrestler advances across the ring with sliding steps.
Compound of すり (from 擦る 'to rub, slide') and 足 'foot, leg'. The sliding motion is the core meaning.