Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • adverb Below or under the foot or feet; against the ground.
  • adverb At or under the foot or feet; on the ground.
  • adverb Hindering progress; in the way.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • Low; base; abject; trodden down.
  • To underpin.
  • Under the feet; underneath; beneath; below.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • adverb Under the feet; underneath; below. See Under foot, under foot, n.
  • adjective Low; base; abject; trodden down.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • adjective Situated under one’s feet.
  • adverb etc. Under one's feet.
  • adverb In the way; situated so as to obstruct or hinder.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • adverb under the feet
  • adverb in the way and hindering progress

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

Compound of under + foot.

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Examples

  • And when earthquakes hit mining regions, remember that the ground underfoot is mostly hollow.

    Yes, you can have earthquakes too. « Pennamite 2009

  • And when earthquakes hit mining regions, remember that the ground underfoot is mostly hollow.

    2009 February « Pennamite 2009

  • The moisture removing feature of our air conditioners keep the air clear, but the unpleasant feeling underfoot is much more difficult, if not impossible, to get rid of.

    Safety Japan 2007

  • The ploughed fields are crimson; the mud underfoot is crimson; the little torrent hurrying down the ravine by the roadside is crimson; the very puddles are crimson also.

    Untrodden Peaks and Unfrequented Valleys 1873

  • I think there were some articles at LAF about keeping house with children "underfoot" but i haven't had time to locate them.

    Get in on Life... 2007

  • He's a little less coordinated, too, and I've noted for the past few months that he's sometimes "underfoot" and also gives me flat tires in his desire to rush ahead or rush around when we're going for a walk.

    May 2009 2009

  • He's a little less coordinated, too, and I've noted for the past few months that he's sometimes "underfoot" and also gives me flat tires in his desire to rush ahead or rush around when we're going for a walk.

    Family 2009

  • He's a little less coordinated, too, and I've noted for the past few months that he's sometimes "underfoot" and also gives me flat tires in his desire to rush ahead or rush around when we're going for a walk.

    Creatiary 2009

  • For example, for Thanksgiving dinner you can give them tasks, because they're kind of underfoot in the kitchen.

    CNN Transcript Nov 19, 2005 2005

  • But 'twill take root and flourish still, tho 'underfoot 'tis trod;

    The Golden Book of Favorite Songs 1915

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