抜ぬき足あし差さし足あし忍しのび足あし

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

• 夜よ中なかに抜ぬき足あし差さし足あし忍しのび足あしで台だい所どころへ行いった。

  I went to the kitchen in the middle of the night with stealthy footsteps.

• 彼かれは抜ぬき足あし差さし足あし忍しのび足あしで部屋へやを出でた。

  He left the room on tiptoe.