足あし踏ぶみ

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

stepping in place; stamping; marking time

Physical action of lifting and setting down the feet repeatedly without moving forward; also used for marching in place.

• 寒さむいので、足あし踏ぶみをして体からだを温あたためた。

  It was cold, so I stamped my feet to warm up.

• 兵へい士したちはその場ばで足あし踏ぶみを続つづけた。

  The soldiers kept marking time on the spot.

noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru', intransitive verb

standstill; stalemate; deadlock

Figurative use for a situation where progress has stopped; often used in business or negotiations.

• 交こう渉しょうは足あし踏ぶみ状じょう態たいが続つづいている。

  The negotiations remain at a standstill.

• 景けい気き回かい復ふくは足あし踏ぶみしている。

  The economic recovery is stalling.