fleet of foot

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleet of foot" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this expression to describe someone who is fast, agile, and able to move quickly. For example, "The antelope was fleet of foot and easily outran the hunting lions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

In May, Little, Brown launched a new literary imprint called Fleet, which joined an existing stable of 12 with a mission to be "fleet of foot, alert, responsive".

The Guardian - Books

Which commentators ever moved so fleet of foot as these?

The New York Times - Sports

It was very fleet of foot and difficult to capture.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Solli and Pearce are not the most fleet of foot.

The New York Times

Hill is 74 now and not quite so fleet of foot.

Independent

He is not nearly as fleet of foot as Brees was at Purdue.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

We've already detailed how new funds are arising and others are re-aligning themselves towards a more fleet-of foot, US-style of venture investing.

TechCrunch

It can be fleet-of-foot and non-bureaucratic.

The Guardian - Arts

Even with the shock absorption that comes with this fleet-of-foot style, there are some problems.

The Guardian - Film

Together, they built the society, long a famously cobwebbed New York institution, into an exciting, fleet-of-foot museum -- funky, different, alive and, at times, magnificent.

The New York Times

Does he go for the hard-working and fleet-of-foot Shane Long who gets in good positions but often fails to capitalise on them?

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleet of foot" to describe physical agility or, metaphorically, organizational responsiveness. For example, describe a dancer's movements or a company's ability to adapt quickly to market changes.

Common error

Avoid using "fleet of foot" solely in contexts requiring literal speed; its metaphorical usage is more nuanced. Don't use it if you simply mean 'fast'; instead, use it when referring to agility and adaptability in a broader sense.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "fleet of foot" is as an adjectival phrase modifying a noun. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it describes a quality or attribute of a person, animal, or even an organization.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleet of foot" is a well-established idiom used to describe someone or something that is quick and agile, both literally and metaphorically. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While alternatives like "quick-footed" or "agile" exist, "fleet of foot" adds a touch of classic imagery, evoking a sense of speed and grace. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize not just speed, but also the ability to move or react with skill and adaptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

quick-footed

Replaces "fleet" with "quick", emphasizing speed in movement.

nimble-footed

Substitutes "fleet" with "nimble", focusing on agility and dexterity in movement.

light-footed

Replaces "fleet" with "light", highlighting grace and ease of movement.

agile

A shorter, single-word adjective emphasizing overall agility.

speedy

A single-word adjective focusing on rapid movement or speed.

swift

Similar to "speedy", but can also imply elegance or grace in motion.

fast on their feet

Rephrases the idiom to focus on the speed of feet.

quick-moving

Describes the ability to move rapidly.

rapid in movement

A more literal description of fast movement.

skilled at running

Highlights proficiency in running, specifically.

FAQs

How can "fleet of foot" be used in a sentence?

You can use "fleet of foot" to describe someone or something that is quick and agile, such as "The soccer player was known for being "fleet of foot", easily dodging defenders" or "The company prided itself on being "fleet of foot" in responding to market changes".

What's a good alternative to "fleet of foot"?

Alternatives to "fleet of foot" include "quick-footed", "nimble-footed", or simply "agile", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "fleet of foot" only used to describe physical ability?

No, while "fleet of foot" originally describes physical agility, it's also frequently used metaphorically to describe the ability to think or act quickly and adaptively in business or other contexts.

What is the origin of the expression "fleet of foot"?

The phrase "fleet of foot" is an old idiom that has been used for centuries to describe someone who is fast and nimble. Its precise origin is difficult to pinpoint, but it has consistently been used in literature and common parlance to convey the idea of speed and agility.