How Do You Spell HOTFOOT?

Pronunciation: [hˈɒtfʊt] (IPA)

The word "hotfoot" is spelled with the letter "o" instead of "u" because it originally comes from the Old Norse word "hálfótur," which means "half-footed." The "o" was likely influenced by the pronunciation of the word, which features the short "o" sound, /ɒ/, followed by the long "u" sound, /u:/, as in "hot" and "foot" respectively. This results in the IPA transcription of /ˈhɒtfʊt/.

HOTFOOT Meaning and Definition

  1. Hotfoot is a figurative and colloquial term that can be used as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a hurried or swift pace, often suggesting a sense of excitement, urgency, or impatience. It can also refer to an instance of walking or running quickly, especially to deliver a message or complete a task promptly. Furthermore, hotfoot can describe a hasty departure or escape, particularly to avoid trouble or detection.

    As a verb, hotfoot primarily means to hurry or move swiftly, usually with the intention of reaching a particular destination or accomplishing a specific objective promptly. It implies a sense of urgency and often conveys the idea of immediately responding to a situation. Hotfoot can also signify to depart abruptly or leave hastily, particularly in a secretive or surreptitious manner.

    The term "hotfoot" originated in the United States during the early 20th century and likely derived from the idea of walking or running quickly on hot or burning ground. It captures the image of urgent and rapid movement, often associated with a burning necessity for promptness.

    In summary, hotfoot encompasses both a noun and a verb that entail a sense of swift pace, urgency, and often impulsive action. It conveys the idea of moving quickly, whether it be to accomplish a task promptly, respond to a situation urgently, or depart hastily.

Common Misspellings for HOTFOOT

Etymology of HOTFOOT

The word "hotfoot" is derived from a combination of two words: "hot" and "foot".

The term "hot" comes from Old English "hāt", which meant "having a high temperature, burning, fiery". This Old English term further traces back to the Proto-Germanic word "*haitaz" and the Proto-Indo-European root "*keh₁p-". The sense of "hot" extended figuratively to mean intense or vehement in the late 14th century.

The word "foot" comes from Old English "fōt", which is related to similar words in other Germanic languages. It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*fōts", and the Proto-Indo-European root "*pṓds".

In "hotfoot", the word "hot" is used figuratively to imply quickness or haste.

Idioms with the word HOTFOOT

  • hotfoot it The idiom "hotfoot it" means to move quickly or hurry, especially when running or walking briskly.
  • hotfoot it (off to) (smw) The idiom "hotfoot it (off to) (somewhere)" means to move quickly or hastily to a particular place. It implies a sense of urgency or a desire to get there as quickly as possible.
  • hotfoot it out of (smw) The idiom "hotfoot it out of (smw)" means to quickly and hastily flee or leave a particular place. It implies a sense of urgency or a need to escape from a certain situation or environment as quickly as possible.
  • hotfoot it (off to) (somewhere) The idiom "hotfoot it (off to) (somewhere)" means to leave or move rapidly or quickly, often in a hurry or with great urgency. It implies a brisk or hurried pace in order to reach a destination promptly.
  • hotfoot it out of (somewhere) The idiom "hotfoot it out of (somewhere)" means to leave a place quickly or hastily, usually to escape from a situation or to avoid trouble or danger. It implies a sense of urgency and the need to move rapidly.
  • hotfoot To leave or depart quickly and in a hurry.

Similar spelling words for HOTFOOT

Plural form of HOTFOOT is HOTFOOTS

Conjugate verb Hotfoot

CONDITIONAL

I would hotfoot
you would hotfoot
he/she/it would hotfoot
we would hotfoot
they would hotfoot

CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS

I would be hotfooting
you would be hotfooting
he/she/it would be hotfooting
we would be hotfooting
they would be hotfooting

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have hotfoot
you would have hotfoot
he/she/it would have hotfoot
we would have hotfoot
they would have hotfoot

CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I would have been hotfooting
you would have been hotfooting
he/she/it would have been hotfooting
we would have been hotfooting
they would have been hotfooting

FUTURE

I will hotfoot
you will hotfoot
he/she/it will hotfoot
we will hotfoot
they will hotfoot

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be hotfooting
you will be hotfooting
he/she/it will be hotfooting
we will be hotfooting
they will be hotfooting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have hotfooted
you will have hotfooted
he/she/it will have hotfooted
we will have hotfooted
they will have hotfooted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been hotfooting
you will have been hotfooting
he/she/it will have been hotfooting
we will have been hotfooting
they will have been hotfooting

IMPERATIVE

you hotfoot
we let´s hotfoot

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to hotfoot

PAST

I hotfooted
you hotfooted
he/she/it hotfooted
we hotfooted
they hotfooted

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was hotfooting
you were hotfooting
he/she/it was hotfooting
we were hotfooting
they were hotfooting

PAST PARTICIPLE

hotfooted

PAST PERFECT

I had hotfooted
you had hotfooted
he/she/it had hotfooted
we had hotfooted
they had hotfooted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been hotfooting
you had been hotfooting
he/she/it had been hotfooting
we had been hotfooting
they had been hotfooting

PRESENT

I hotfoot
you hotfoot
he/she/it hotfoots
we hotfoot
they hotfoot

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am hotfooting
you are hotfooting
he/she/it is hotfooting
we are hotfooting
they are hotfooting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

hotfooting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have hotfooted
you have hotfooted
he/she/it has hotfooted
we have hotfooted
they have hotfooted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been hotfooting
you have been hotfooting
he/she/it has been hotfooting
we have been hotfooting
they have been hotfooting
I would have hotfooted
we would have hotfooted
you would have hotfooted
he/she/it would have hotfooted
they would have hotfooted

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